Configuration Management

The CM process is the set of activities that identifies, documents, and controls CIs relevant to a particular product. It is used to provide consistency between product requirements, product configuration information, and product attributes. Therefore, when implementing a CM program, the process must focus on customer requirements for the product and should take into account the context in which it will be performed. As previously stated, the purpose of CM is to establish and maintain the integrity of the product(s) of a project throughout the product’s life cycle. Once a product or project has been defined, the CM process begins. It is an integral part of project management, and is critical for adequately implementing and administering a QA program. The CM activities are generally two basic types: baselining and change control. Baselining involves the managerial agreement on the content of a system (i.e., product) or CI. Change control is the process of developing, coordinating, approving, and documenting changes to CIs.

Version 2 – March 7, 2005 125 The implementation of a successful CM program begins with the identification of responsibilities and authority related to the implementation and verification of the CM process.

4.10.1 Responsibilities

It is important for the individual with overall responsibility for the product to develop a project organization, if not done previously, and assign CM responsibility to key personnel. In most cases, the FDOT District ITS engineer or project manager will be responsible for developing the project organization.

The following assignments of responsibility address QA and CM principles. The duties and responsibilities for CM at the product level shall be specified in appropriate CM documentation. 4.10.1.1 District ITS Engineer

The District ITS engineer has overall responsibility for the District ITS CM program and plan, and for providing guidance for the various products to ensure a successful development and implementation throughout the products/projects life cycle, and to establish the appropriate processes and systems to ensure compliance with the District CM plan. The District ITS engineer has oversight responsibility to ensure that a specific CM plan, tailored for a given product, is developed according to the District CM plan.

4.10.1.2 Project Manager or Project Engineer

The project manager or project engineer is delegated with the overall operational authority to implement the product’s CM program according to the FDOT’s ITS CM program. The project manager, project engineer, or specified designee may execute this authority. The project manager, project engineer, or designee shall:

• Develop the CM plan, tailored for a given product according to the District CM plan. • Resolve CM program issues that affect multiple projects or subprojects within a

program.

• Serve as the District’s primary interface with the contractor (i.e., client) or the FDOT’s

TEOO ITS Section.

• Arrange for and provide independent evaluations of the product’s CM program and an

assessment of its implementation. The independent evaluation may be conducted under the direction of the ITS Section.

Version 2 – March 7, 2005 126 4.10.1.3 Assurance Review Office

The project manager, or project engineer, responsible for a product’s CM will coordinate with the FDOT ITS Section in Tallahassee to schedule periodic assessments of the program. The FDOT ITS Section shall perform the functions of the assurance review office (ARO) to provide independent periodic assessments of the effectiveness of a product’s CM program as defined in this document, the project-specific CM plan, and the status of implementation within the project. Individuals knowledgeable in the CM field shall be assigned to conduct the assessments. It is recommended that the independent assessments review the five CM elements and the project specific requirements in the CM plan at least three times during a 12-month period. The physical configuration, document integrity, software integrity, and CM program consistency shall be evaluated, and the results of the independent assessments documented and reported to the District ITS engineer.

4.10.1.4 Configuration Management Subject-Matter Expert

The District ITS engineer or the project manager shall designate the CM subject-matter expert (SME) as the individual who is technically competent in the CM subject-matter area. The CM SME shall:

• Review changes in CM standards and CM-related directives. • Recommend and author changes to a product’s CIs.

• Recommend changes to the District CM plan;

• Advise the District ITS engineer, project manager, or project engineer on CM

implementation issues.

• Provide for CM training, if required.

4.10.1.5 Configuration Item Owner

The CI owner is the SME for the CI and may be designated by the District ITS engineer or project manager. The CI owner shall:

• Identify system requirements, performance criteria, and documentation considered to be

essential to system operation, if a product’s design basis has not been previously defined.

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• Initiate the configuration change process.

• Determine the required documentation (e.g., drawings, calculations, specifications, test

criteria, and vendor manuals) that defines the CI design requirements.

• Ensure the maintenance of system (i.e., product) documentation, records, and software,

and keep all up to date. 4.10.2 Disposition Authority

The dispositioning authority, the CMB, is a decision-making entity that examines and decides whether changes to requirements, product design, etc., are cost effective and whether they should be pursued. The authority may be a person or a group of persons, but usually consists of a group of persons whose membership consists of subject matter, fiscal, and project (i.e., product) expertise capable of evaluating the proposed change. They have the responsibility and authority to make decisions on the interrelated functional and physical characteristics of a product’s characteristics or configuration information.