Introduction
Configuration management is the lynch pin of successful software projects. Effective software teams manage change well; they know what changed, when, and by whom.
Unfortunately many teams view configuration management as an overly bureaucratic practice that only is useful for large projects.
This training course will tackle this issue head-on by discussing practical, real-world practices that benefit both agile and plan-driven teams. It will also clarify the basic misconception that configuration management is limited to the version control tool. It will discuss detailed internationally accepted best practices and processes in configuration management through which an organization can avoid several issues.
Configuration Management practices are also highly recommended by the Software Engineering Institute''s Software Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI).
Course Level
Beginner / Intermediate
Contents
* Introduction to Software Configuration Management
o Definition
o Elements
o SCM and the bigger picture
o The 4 major activities of SCM
* Identifying Configuration Items
o Identifying useful CIs
o CI’s and baselines
* Controlling Configuration Items
o Managing change during the project life cycle
o Implementation of changes after evaluations and verifications
* Understanding the Configuration Control Board (CCB)
o Who forms the CCB
o Roles and Responsibilities
o Typical agenda
* Effective Reporting: The backbone of SCM
o Goals of data reporting
o Tasks within reporting
o Setting up an effective reporting mechanism
o Identifying primary data elements
* Performing audits on Configuration Items
o Benefits of conducting audits
o Audits for improvement? Or Audits for Control?
o Functional audits vs Physical Audits
* Building the Configuration Libraries
o Elements of a Configuration Library
o Working Area Vs Repository
o Importance of Commitment and Control
* Controlling Releases
o Branching & Merging Basics
o Tagging Releases for instant recall
o Customer communications: Who should be responsible?
* Differences in Organizational SCM and Project SCM
o Typical activities for setting up an organizational SCM
o Typical activities for SCM on a project
* Planning for SCM
o Policies, plans, procedures and processes that support SCM
* Understanding SCM Tools
o Features and functions of SCM tools
o What’s the total cost of ownership?
o Things to consider when selecting a tool
Benefits
# Participants will learn how to: Implement SCM to support effective teamwork and controlled change
# Originate change management for maximum impact on the development life cycle
# Increase team productivity through SCM patterns and best practices
# Enable frequent integration through automated builds and smoke tests
# Organize and run an efficient SCM function
Recommended Participants
This course is highly valuable for:
# Software Configuration Professionals
# Project Managers & Team Leads
# Process Engineers
Materials Provided
# Course reference manual containing copy of course slides, support documents, exercises, and their solutions
# Course Certificate