Guide to Configuration Management According to PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition
Configuration Management is a key element in project management and plays a vital role in ensuring stability, tracking changes and maintaining the integrity of the project. Below are details on its importance, understanding, functioning and techniques to answer related exam questions.
Importance:
Configuration Management creates an environment of controlled change, by keeping track of system, design, and process changes; thus reducing project risk and ensuring quality.
Definition:
On a high level, Configuration Management is the process of identifying and defining the Configuration Items in a system, recording and reporting the status of these items and change requests, and verifying the completeness and correctness of these items.
Functioning:
The process of Configuration Management typically involves four key activities: Configuration Identification, Configuration Control, Configuration Status Accounting and Configuration Verification and Audit.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Configuration Management:
For exam questions related to Configuration Management, understanding the full context of the process and its purpose within a given scenario is crucial. Identify the activities involved and correlate them with each others and the control process. Also, carefully review the change requests and evalutate their impacts on overall project configuration.
Remember to focus on the importance of documentation in Configuration Management, as adequate records are essential for effective management and control of changes during a project.