Configuration control

Configuration control is the formal, documented process used to manage, evaluate, approve, and record changes to the defined configuration baseline of a system, product, or project throughout its lifecycle.

In practice, configuration control typically includes:

• Establishing a baseline description of hardware, software, documents, and interfaces
• Submitting proposed changes through standardized change requests or change notices
• Reviewing technical, safety, quality, schedule, and compliance impacts of each proposed change
• Authorizing or rejecting changes through a designated authority, such as a Configuration Control Board (CCB)
• Updating configuration documentation, identifiers, and records to reflect approved changes
• Ensuring that implementation, verification, and release of changes match the approved configuration state

Configuration control is a core function of configuration management and is used to keep the as-designed, as-built, as-tested, and as-operated configurations consistent, traceable, and auditable.