Overview
In this activity, the software configuration management (SCM) manager identifies the software products that must be placed under SCM or tracked. These include: all documents, plans, and code, as well as commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products. The product list may be updated as the software products change or become more clearly identified.
Roles and Responsibilities
The SCM manager is responsible for identifying the software products to be placed under SCM.
The project software manager is responsible for providing information on the software engineering environment and the software products to be developed.
Controls
See parent activity 1.1.2.1 Determine Project’s Software Configuration Management Needs.
Inputs
A preliminary Software Development Plan (SDP), which describes the products to be developed (Plans for Performing Detailed Software Development Activities section) and the software engineering environment (Software Development Methods section).
The set of SCM reports and forms identified in activity 1.1.2.1.2 Determine Reports And Forms Required.
Procedures
1) The SCM manager works with the project software manager to compile a list of products to be developed or used in the development effort. The information required to complete this table is in the SDP’s Performing Detailed Software Development Activities and Software Development Methods sections. Using input from the project software manager, the SCM manager may tailor the sample list of software products as shown in Table 1.1.2.1.3-1 to fit the project.
Table 1.1.2.1.3-1 Sample List of Software Products
Software Product List
Product Name
Need for Control
Documentation
Software Development Plan
Physical Configuration Audit Report
Functional Configuration Audit Report
Software Test Plan
Software Configuration Management Plan
Software Quality Assurance Plan
Software Design Description (architectural)
Software Design Description (detailed)
Software Test Description (unit)
Software Test Report (unit)
Software Test Description (integration)
Software Test Report (integration)
Software Test Description (qualification)
Software Test Report (qualification)
Software Product Specification
Software Version Description
Software User Manual
Software Project Training Plan
Forms
Software Change Requests
Request for Deviation/Waiver
Software Trouble Reports
Developed Software
Software Units
Integrated Software Units
Qualified CSCI(s)
COTS Software Products:
Compilers
Document publishing
CASE tools
CM tools
Debuggers
Editors
Operating systems
Word processors
COTS Hardware Products:
Emulators
Simulators
Workstations
Target platforms
Monitoring tools
2) The SCM manager reviews the software product list, answering the following questions for each product.
Is the product schedule critical or high-risk?
Are there any safety considerations with using the product?
Can the product be readily marked to identify it as a separate, controlled item?
Will the product require developing a new design or a significant modification to an existing design?
Does the product have an interface with a product developed under another contract or by another entity?
Will it be necessary to have an accurate record of the product's exact configuration and the status of changes to it during its life cycle?
Can (or must) the product be independently tested?
Is logistic support required for the product?
Does the product incorporate new technologies?
Will the product be delivered to the customer?
3) If the SCM manager answers any of the preceding questions affirmatively for a software product, that product will require software configuration control. As a rule, all COTS products used in the development process should be tracked, and all deliverable software products should be placed under software configuration control.
4) The SCM manager includes the software product list as an appendix to the SCMP.
Outputs
The completed software product list which has been included as an appendix of the SCMP.