Chapter 5. Scoping the Configuration Management Task

The need to perform configuration management at all and the level of ambition for the performance of such may stem from a number of sources. It may be formal, external requirements, like those from the customer, from standards (e.g., for safety-critical systems), or for certification, such as ISO 9000. Or it may be more informal requirements originating from the company's strategy and wish for better quality and greater customer satisfaction, such as goals or practices from a maturity model, concrete problems experienced in the company, or time-to-market .

No matter where the need stems from, many considerations determine the scope of the task. Even requirements originating from a standard permit a certain amount of freedom in scope and degree of formalism. When a choice is to be made it's important to include considerations about the profitability of possible initiatives.