Software Configuration Management [Hardcover]

Jessica Keyes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0849319765 | ISBN-13: 978-0849319761 | Publication Date: February 25, 2004 | Edition: 1

An effective systems development and design process is far easier to explain than it is to implement. A framework is needed that organizes the life cycle activities that form the process. This framework is Configuration Management (CM).

Software Configuration Management discusses the framework from a standards viewpoint, using the original DoD MIL-STD-973 and EIA-649 standards to describe the elements of configuration management within a software engineering perspective.

Divided into two parts, the first section is composed of 14 chapters that explain every facet of configuration management related to software engineering. The second section consists of 25 appendices that contain many valuable real world CM templates.

The content is extensive and inclusive, covering everything from CM planning to configuration identification, verification, and auditing. Although it is vendor-neutral, it offers a serious discussion of what to look for in a CM tool and lists toolsets for review. This volume is a sourcebook of techniques, templates, and best practices in the field, providing software engineers and systems developers with what they need to run a successful CM program.

Editorial Reviews

Review

By adopting the processes and concepts outlined in this book, readers will have everything they need to implement and execute a sound SCM organization. Whether one is a project manager with responsibility for CM, a CM manager, or a CM team lead, this book would be beneficial. … Perhaps the best feature of this book is that it is life-cycle oriented. For each phase of the generalized life cycle it identifies the relevant SCM activities and the SCM milestones.
- Software Quality Professional

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Auerbach Publications; 1 edition (February 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849319765
• ISBN-13: 978-0849319761
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #636,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on SCM (and CM) I own, March 15, 2004

By 

Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Software Configuration Management (Hardcover)

If I could use only one of the stack of SCM books I own to guide me through an implementation and serve as reference this book would be it. The reasons for this bold statement are:

- it's comprehensive in coverage, starting with an in-depth introduction that clearly explains software configuration management as a discipline and process area, its benefits, and an overview of implementation issues, to details on every aspect of performing and managing software configuration.

- it addresses SCM from both software engineering and project management perspectives.

- it's based on established standards (MIL-STD-973 and EIA-649).

To readers who are working in agile environments that employ rapid development and implementation approaches the MIL-STD-973 and EIA-649 standards upon which this book is based may raise a red flag. To assuage concerns about introducing what many may perceive to be heavy, bureaucratic standards to processes designed for fast paced implementation, SCM is one area that requires checkpoints and a methodical process to ensure quality. As you read this book you'll find that neither MIL-STD-973 or EIA-649 are inherently cumbersome, especially if tailored to your specific project or development environment.

Highlights of this book, aside from the detailed treatment of every facet of SCM, are the copious use of tables and graphics to summarize or clarify key concepts and how processes work, and the wealth of artifacts contained in the appendices. The appendices alone are worth the price of this book because they provide templates, guidelines and checklists, and forms that you can immediately use. Note, though, that many of these artifacts are also provided in other books from the publisher, and some such as the DoD Engineering Change Proposal may not be applicable to your objectives (although they will be useful if tailored).

As you read this book you'll discover that general configuration management principles are also introduced, expanding the usefulness to integrators as well as software engineers. What I especially like is how the book never loses sight of the relationship between SCM and quality, the way metrics are identified and presented, and the interrelationship between configuration management and maintenance.

I personally believe that this book is the best there is for implementing and employing a strong SCM process, which is critical to any software or integration project.