Approved modification. Changes to one or more configuration items in accordance with an authorised change proposal.
Configuration. This is a description that encompasses all the configuration items that make up a system. This should include all the configuration items and services necessary for the successful operation of the system.
Configuration baseline. The definition of a configuration at a given instance to which future approved modifications will be related.
Configuration item. An item within a system that has a defined use and function and which can be uniquely identified.
Configuration management. The discipline that identifies the configuration items that make up a system and which aims to manage and co-ordinate changes to such items as the system evolves from initial conception to final decommissioning.
Configuration management database. A register or index containing records that can be used to identify configurations and configuration baselines.
Configuration status accounting. The recording of all configuration item details to facilitate the identification of the status of approved modification proposals.
Promotion. The progression of the system or individual configuration items or baselines through the systems life cycle.
System life cycle. The stages within the system’s life cycle that span all activities from initial requirement capture to final decommissioning.
First generation tools. Configuration management tools that provide features to automate the basic configuration management tasks with limited support for process and workflow management.
Second generation tools. Configuration management tools that provide extensive process and workflow management features in addition to the traditional features provided by first generation tools.
Variant. Multiple concurrent versions of an item or system that must be development and support in parallel. Variants may be produced to support different hardware or operating system platforms.
COTS. Custom off the shell software.
RAD. Rapid application development.
3GL. Third generation programming/development language.
4GL. Fourth generation programming/development language.
CASE. Computer aided software engineering.