Configuration Management: Theory, Practice, and Application details a comprehensive approach to configuration management from a variety of product development perspectives, including embedded and IT. It provides authoritative advice on how to extend products for a variety of markets due to configuration options.The book also describes the importance of configuration management to other parts of the organization. It supplies an overview of configuration management and its process elements to provide readers with a contextual understanding of the theory, practice, and application of CM.Explaining what a configuration item is and what it implies, the book illustrates the interplay of configuration and data management with all enterprise resources during each phase of a product lifecycle. It also demonstrates the interrelationship of CM to functional resources.Shedding light on current practice, the book describes CM baselines, configuration identification, management baseline changes, and acceptance criteria for end products. It also considers testing, inspection and evaluation, related CM standards, and reference data. Coverage includes the product life cycle, the supporting enterprise infrastructure, functional resources, product management, CM elements, data types, and control requirements.Providing a systems perspective of the various elements of configuration and data management, the book explains how they relate to the enterprise and details proven risk management solutions for when things go wrong.
Just finished reading Configuration Management: Theory, Practice and Application, and I must say this is the most comprehensive document I have ever read on the subject. It addresses theory, practice, and application (and reality), with many real-world examples of what happens when the principles of product/configuration management are not followed! My compliments, this is an excellent piece of work.-Bill Dawson, SVP Product Management, Volvo Group... the definitive guide to configuration management. No configuration manager should be caught without a copy of this book. ... explores not only the technical aspects of the field, but the practical applications of configuration management in a wide variety of industries not just the technology field. ... This is a must-read and a worthy addition to the canon of configuration management books that already exist.-Joe Townsend, Configuration Manager, Indiana Public Retirement SystemOverall, the book captures the essence and significance of configuration management. It provides the framework, tools, and practices that will enable any enterprise to successfully create and manage a framework for CM in a mass customization world. ... A much-needed book and discussion at a critical time in the age of mass customization! The book definitely addresses a subject need in an area which is critical to businesses but is much under the radar in many enterprises, in terms of formal implementation and significance on a daily basis. This is a topic that needs to be emphasized in organizations along with stage gate development, product numbering structures, PLCM strategy efforts, IT framework, and supply chain integration. The authors have done a nice job in emphasizing CM frameworks and integration methods in a value stream of a business.-Sundar Ananthasivan, Director of Global Engineering and Product Development-Couplings, Rexnord LLC... fantastic reading .... Finally a universal CM guidance which explains, by using practical examples, why configuration management is not only beneficial to the government area but adds tangible value across all market segments.-Dirk Wessel, Chief CM Section, NATO Communications and Information AgencyBravo! Finally someone has taken the time to write an overall CM guide book in layman terms, too many times as CM professionals we forget the ones who are just learning the CM disciplines. Unfortunately by neglecting this group of practitioners, numerous unfamiliar CM practices have appeared. This book clarifies the individual elements of CM and demonstrates how they are interconnected with all other functional groups by using analogies in a brilliant cohesive structure.-Fay McGuigon, LCS, MCM, MP, Configuration Manager Great book, lots of information, easy read, and applicable ... about time for this book. Many of the concepts apply to the everyday world and not just the corporate or government worlds.-Steve Nissen, Software Quality Assurance, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation A comprehensive look at configuration management and its theories. Well written and laid out to make it understandable, even to inexperienced CM practitioners. A recommended read.-Sunil Mavadia, CM Department Manager, Digital Globe, LLC This books takes a broader view on CM than other books on CM. It shows that CM is in much more places than expected.-Dick Terleth, Senior Consultant, ADSE
