A.5 Configuration item record

A.5.1 Purpose

To provide a record of such information as the history, status, version and variant of each configuration item, and any details of important relationships between them.

The set of configuration item records for a project is often referred to as a configuration library.

A.5.2 Composition

The composition of a configuration item record will be defined in the project’s configuration management strategy.

There follows a suggested list of components for each configuration item record (note that the first three uniquely identify the configuration item):

• Project identifier A unique reference. It will typically be a numeric or alpha-numeric value
• Item identifier A unique reference. It will typically be a numeric or alpha-numeric value
• Current version Typically an alpha-numeric value
• Item title The description of the item (for a product this should be as it appears in the product breakdown structure)
• Date of last status change
• Owner The person or group who will take ownership of the product when it is handed over
• Location Where the item is stored
• Copy-holders (if relevant) Who currently has the product?
• Item type Component, product, release
• Item attributes As defined by the configuration management strategy. These are used to specify a subset of products when producing a product status account, such as the management stage in which the product is created, the type of product (e.g. hardware/software), product destination etc.
• Stage When the product will be developed
• Users The person or group who will use the item
• Status As defined by the configuration management strategy, e.g. pending development, in development, in review, approved or handed over
• Product state (if used) As defined by the product description, e.g. dismantled machinery, moved machinery, reassembled machinery
• Variant (if used) For example, language variants
• Producer The person or team responsible for creating or obtaining the item
• Date allocated To the producer
• Source For example, in house, or purchased from a third-party company
• Relationship with other items Those items that:
  • Would be affected if this item changed
  • If changed, would affect this item
• Cross-references:
  • Issues and risks
  • Documentation that defines requirements, design, build, production and verification for the item (specifically this will include the product description).