Configuration Management Strategy

Configuration Management Strategy Guide for PRINCE2 Foundation Exam

Introduction to Configuration Management Strategy in PRINCE2

The Configuration Management Strategy is a vital component of the Change Theme in PRINCE2. This guide will help you understand what it is, why it's important, how it works, and how to successfully answer exam questions about it.

What is the Configuration Management Strategy?

The Configuration Management Strategy defines how project products are to be controlled, stored, and managed. It establishes the procedures for managing project products from identification through to final delivery.

In PRINCE2, this strategy describes:
- How and where configurations will be stored
- Roles and responsibilities for configuration management
- Methods for product identification, version control, and status accounting
- The approach to configuration control and audit

Why is Configuration Management Strategy Important?

The Configuration Management Strategy is crucial because it:

1. Maintains product integrity - Ensures the right versions of products are being developed and used
2. Provides baseline control - Establishes reference points for product development
3. Prevents unauthorized changes - Controls modifications to products
4. Facilitates impact analysis - Makes it easier to assess how changes might affect other products
5. Improves traceability - Helps track product development throughout the project lifecycle

How Configuration Management Strategy Works

The Configuration Management Strategy operates through five key processes:

1. Planning - Determining the approach and level of configuration management needed
2. Identification - Selecting and identifying the products to be controlled
3. Control - Managing changes to baselined products
4. Status Accounting - Recording and reporting the current status of products
5. Verification - Ensuring physical products match their records

The Project Manager creates the Configuration Management Strategy during the Initiating a Project process, with support from Project Support who often implements the procedures.

Key Elements of the Configuration Management Strategy

- Configuration management procedure: How products will be stored, retrieved, and issued
- Tools and techniques: What systems or software will be used
- Configuration item records: How product details will be captured
- Product status records: How to track product development status
- Document naming: Conventions for naming configurations
- Version control: How different versions will be identified
- Issue and change control: How changes will be managed
- Configuration audit: How to verify configurations match records

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Configuration Management Strategy

1. Understand its purpose - Configuration Management Strategy is about controlling products (not the overall project)

2. Remember who creates it - The Project Manager develops it during Initiating a Project

3. Know who uses it - Project Support typically implements the procedures

4. Recognize related documents:
- Different from Change Control Approach (which focuses on assessing changes)
- Works with the Quality Management Strategy

5. Focus on the five key processes - Planning, Identification, Control, Status Accounting, and Verification

6. Timing matters - It's created during Initiating a Project and executed throughout

7. Link to principles - Particularly relates to "Manage by Stages" and "Learn from Experience" principles

8. Distinguish from issues - Understand the difference between configuration items and issues

9. Context is key - Configuration management procedures may vary based on project size and complexity

10. Practical application - Look for questions that test your understanding of how the strategy works in practice

When facing multiple-choice questions, eliminate options that:
- Suggest Configuration Management Strategy applies to schedule or budget management
- Indicate it is managed by the Senior User or Executive
- Describe it as optional
- Confuse it with the Change Control Approach

Remember, the Configuration Management Strategy ensures the right products are built at the right time with the right features, providing essential control mechanisms for successful project delivery.