Configuration Management Evaluation

Definition

Configuration management evaluation is the quality control task during which the configuration management work products are evaluated.

Objectives

The typical objectives of the configuration management evaluation task are to:

• Determine if the deliverable configuration management work products are:
  • Correct.
  • Complete.
  • Consistent (internally, externally with other work products, and externally with related conventions).
  • Understandable.
• Identify defects in the deliverable configuration management work products so that:
  • The defects can be fixed.
  • Defect trend analysis can be performed to improve the process and staff training.
• Determine if the configuration management tasks are:
  • Completed.
  • Effective.
  • Efficient.

Preconditions

The management evaluation task can typically begin when the following preconditions hold:

• The endeavor has started.
• The configuration management inspection team is adequately:
  • Staffed.
  • Trained in the management evaluation task.
  • Trained in its associated techniques (e.g., inspection).
• At least one configuration management work product is ready for evaluation.

Completion Criteria

The configuration management evaluation task is typically complete when the following postconditions hold:

• The following configuration management work products have passed their evaluations (e.g., inspection):
  • Configuration Management Plan
  • Configuration Identification Report
  • Change Control Board (CCB) Meeting Minutes
  • Configuration Status Report
  • Configuration Audit Report

Steps

The configuration management evaluation task typically involves the following teams performing the following steps in an incremental, iterative, parallel manner:

• The configuration management team) informally evaluates their work products in accordance with the associated technique used.
• The configuration management inspection team formally evaluates these configuration management work products in accordance with the associated technique used.

Techniques

The configuration management evaluation task typically can be performed using the following techniques:

• Quality Evaluation Techniques:
  • Desk Checking
  • Inspecting
  • Walkthroughs

Work Products

The configuration management evaluation task typically results in the production of the following work products:

• Quality Set:
  • Inspection Report
  • Inspection Summary Report

Guidelines

• Inspecting tends to be the most effective technique for identifying defects.
• Evaluations can be incremental and are typically iterative.