A configuration management plan (CMP) is a formal document that outlines how the configuration of a project, system, or product will be managed throughout its lifecycle. The purpose of a CMP is to provide a framework for managing changes to a system or product, ensuring that any modifications are properly evaluated, approved, tracked, and implemented.
A typical CMP may include the following components:
- Introduction: An overview of the project or system, including its purpose and scope.
- Configuration Identification: The process for identifying and naming the various components of the system or product, including hardware, software, documentation, and other related items.
- Configuration Control: The procedures for controlling changes to the configuration items, including change requests, change impact analysis, change approval, and change implementation.
- Configuration Status Accounting: The methods for recording and reporting the status of the various configuration items, including their versions, releases, and changes.
- Configuration Auditing: The process for conducting periodic audits of the configuration items to ensure compliance with the CMP and other relevant standards and regulations.
- Configuration Verification and Validation: The procedures for testing and verifying the configuration items to ensure that they meet the specified requirements and standards.
- Configuration Management Tools and Infrastructure: The tools, software, hardware, and other infrastructure required to support the configuration management process.
- Roles and Responsibilities: The roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders