Configuration Management

PRINCE2 Foundation: Configuration Management Guide

What is Configuration Management?

Configuration Management is a critical element of the Change Theme in PRINCE2. It is the technical and administrative process concerned with identifying, tracking, and protecting the project's products throughout the project lifecycle.

Configuration Management establishes a mechanism to:
- Track and control all products (deliverables) in a project
- Maintain product integrity
- Ensure that only approved versions of products are used
- Maintain accurate product status information

Why Configuration Management is Important

Configuration Management is essential because it:
- Provides stability in a changing project environment
- Ensures team members work with correct product versions
- Prevents unauthorized changes to baseline products
- Creates a reliable audit trail of changes
- Helps the project board make informed decisions
- Reduces risks associated with using incorrect product versions
- Supports effective change control

How Configuration Management Works

Configuration Management operates through five key procedures:

1. Planning - Defining the strategy for Configuration Management
- Determines the level of control needed for different products
- Establishes roles and responsibilities
- Defines tools and techniques to be used

2. Identification - Selecting and identifying products to be controlled
- Assigns unique identifiers to each product
- Establishes appropriate naming conventions
- Documents product dependencies

3. Control - Managing product versions and changes
- Controls how products are modified and versioned
- Tracks product status (draft, approved, etc.)
- Maintains version histories

4. Status Accounting - Recording and reporting product information
- Maintains current configuration data
- Provides reports on product status
- Tracks the history of all changes

5. Verification and Audit - Ensuring integrity of products
- Checks that products meet requirements
- Verifies physical products match documentation
- Confirms compliance with Configuration Management procedures

Configuration Management and Other PRINCE2 Elements

Configuration Management integrates with:
- Issue and Change Control: Supports the change control process
- Quality Management: Helps maintain product quality standards
- Risk Management: Mitigates risks associated with product changes

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Configuration Management

1. Understand key terminology:
- Configuration Item: Any product that needs to be managed
- Baseline: An approved snapshot of a configuration item at a specific time
- Version: A specific instance of a configuration item
- Configuration Management System: Tools and processes used to manage configuration items

2. Remember the five procedures:
Always recall Planning, Identification, Control, Status Accounting, and Verification and Audit as the complete set.

3. Know who is responsible:
- Project Manager: Overall responsibility for Configuration Management
- Project Support: Day-to-day configuration management activities
- Team Manager: Configuration Management at the team level

4. Connect with Change Control:
Understand how Configuration Management supports Change Control as part of the Change theme.

5. Focus on practical application:
Exam questions often ask how Configuration Management would be applied in specific scenarios.

6. Distinguish from Change Control:
Configuration Management is about tracking and controlling products; Change Control is about evaluating and implementing changes.

7. Link to other themes:
Be ready to explain how Configuration Management relates to Quality, Plans, and Progress themes.

8. Avoid common misconceptions:
Configuration Management is not just document control—it applies to all products and deliverables.

9. Focus on benefits:
Be prepared to explain why Configuration Management matters and what advantages it offers.