Configuration Management Training

Schedule a Demo l Services Summary

Hardware & Software EIA-649

Configuration Management (CM) has always been an integral part of sound management practices. The Configuration Managers are therefore a vital part of the Management Team, and their role both as Managers and agents of change continues to increase in importance in today's high-tech industrial environment.

However, with the release of EIA-649 National Consensus Standard on Configuration Management, the emphasis has shifted to the contractor to develop CM training and processes that will implement good CM practices.

This course will provide a solid framework for the use of basic CM methodology in Government or Commercial design and manufacturing activities using the principles of EIA Standard 649. This course is designed primarily to provide a comprehensive knowledge of CM basics to those with limited experience, or for those who desire an understanding of the application of CM.

Purpose of This Course

The purpose of this course is to introduce participants to the principles of EIA Standard 649 and to explain the activities of a comprehensive Configuration Management process which lead to both a quality end product, and the associated enabling life-cycle processes.

The course is designed to help individuals and organizations accomplish Configuration Management of a complex system within the framework of a new Configuration Management philosophy resulting from Department of Defense acquisition reform, the proliferation of information technology and the emergence of Industry Standards to replace Military Standards.

What Makes this Course Different?

Over the last 35 years, those in the Configuration Management field in Government have led the way in the development and application of Configuration Management and the associated numerous Specifications and Standards. However, with the implementation of Acquisition Reform and the ISO Initiatives, the application of Configuration Management has changed. No longer will the 'how to" documents e.g. Mil-Std-480, Mil-Std-483, Mil-Std-1521, etc. be applied to new contracts. Instead, each company will be required to work to "Best Practices" in the implementation of CM principles.

This Training Course will provide the basic fundamentals of CM and stress the CM Principles of EIA Standard 649.

In learning these important fundamentals and principles and how to apply them, the CM practitioner will be able to apply Configuration Management in the most cost-effective manner to either Government or commercial programs. Since the "how to" documents will not be specified, the CM practitioners must, more than ever before, be well founded in the fundamentals, objectives and principles of Configuration Management.

Seminars are a useful means of imparting knowledge about a given subject, however it should be recognized that they are not a substitute for Training/Education. What makes this Training Course unique is that it is designed to be the beginning of, or an enhancement to, your company's Configuration Management (CM) education program. CM is not accomplished alone, but rather, in conjunction with many other disciplines. The material that will be presented by our expert is suitable for groups such as Program or Project Managers, Systems Engineers, Production Management and other members of your Integrated Product and Process Development Teams.

Training Outline

Defining Configuration Management

• A Practical Definition of Configuration Management
• Evolution of CM-Past, Present and Future
• Elements of CM
• Product Lifecycle Phases
• CM's Role in Program Management

Added Value of CM

• Purpose and Benefits of CM
• Objectives of CM
• Guidelines to Implement Successful CM

Configuration Identification

• The Hardware/Software Development Cycle
• Product Information - Defining the Functional, Performance and Physical Attributes.
• Allocation of Product Requirements
• Part and Documentation Numbering
• Engineering Release System-Recovery of Product Information
  

Class Exercise: Developing a Product Structure-Decomposition of Product Configuration.

Class Exercise: Different Numbering Systems - Document, Part, Serial and Lot Numbers.

Configuration Management Baselines

• Baseline Management - An Agreed-to Product Description
• How are CM Baselines Used?
• Types of CM Baselines
  

Requirements Baseline
Design Baseline
Product Configuration Baseline

• Determination of Baselines - Where to Implement in the Product Lifecycle
  

Class Exercise: Baseline Management - Demonstrate Product Maturity.

Interface Control

• Identification and Control of External Product Interfaces
• An Effective Interface Control Working Group
• ICWG/CCB Control of ICD's

Configuration Change Management

• The Systematic Process for Changing Baselines
• Interchangeability is an Important Factor
• Purpose and Benefits of Change Management
• Change Management is Managing Baselines
• What does Change Management Require?
• What is the Process for Changes?
• The Role of the CCB -
  

Who are the Members?
What are Their Roles/Responsibilities

• Processing Major and Minor Changes
  

What should the Process be?
What does "Total Impact" mean?

• Variance to the Product Definition
  

Class Exercise: CCB Operation-Roles and Responsibilities and Total Impact of Change.

Class Exercise: Re identification - Hardware and Software Traceability.

Software Change Management

• The Software Difference
• Managing Software Libraries
• Software Change Process

Configuration Status Accounting - The Recording and Reporting Process

• An Information Data Base
• Status Accounting Data Flow
• Purpose and Benefits of SA
• Impact of Product Lifecycle of Reporting
• Types of Reporting/Reports
• Considerations for Status Accounting System
  

Class Exercise: Product Configuration Data - Use of Various Types of Product Information

Configuration Verification and Audits

• Purpose and Benefits
• CM Verification - Does Design Achieve Required Attributes
• CM Audits - Functional/Physical Requirements
• Performance Verification
• Design Verification
• Internal and Formal Audits
  

Class Exercise: Requirements Verification - the Requirements Verification Matrix

Configuration Management of Digital Data

• Principles for Data Integrity
• Establish Business Rules
• Apply Version Control

Configuration Management: Planning and Management

• CM Application to Product Lifecycle
• Tailoring CM Requirements
• The CM Plan
  

Core Elements of CM
Level of Detail Required
CM Plan vs. Operating Plan
Key Program/CM Milestones

Class Exercise: Configuration Management Plan - its Purpose and Contents

CM Training

• Training Plan for CM
• Roles and Responsibilities

Performance Measurement

• Methods of Assessment
• Metrics

Supplier CM

• Requirements Flow-down
• Audits

Class Discussion - Violation of CM Principles - Importance of Good Business Practices

About the Instructor

Ron Van Buskirk has over 30 years of CM experience on multi-national, commercial and Government programs. Mr. Van Buskirk was formally with Hughes Space Division where he was responsible for all CM activities on Government and Commercial Satellite programs. Previously he was the CM Manager on the B2 Stealth Bomber Program. He was a key player in the institution of the operational MRP system. He also was the CM Manager on nine major defense contracts for General Dynamics Corporation.

As an educator, he instituted The Certificate Program in CM and DM for West Coast University and has taught in the program for over 10 years. He has also conducted seminars for NWSES and System Engineering for Rockwell Space Division.

Mr. Van Buskirk was the author and editor for EIA Bulletins on Configuration Control and Reviews/Audits.