Configuration management (CM) is a growing field and focus for DoD that concentrates on establishing and maintain consistency of a system’s or product’s performance and its functional and physical attributes with its requirements, design, and operational information throughout its life per MIL-HDBK-61A.

Configuration management is critical for a variety of reasons:

• Buyers and sellers with a common basis for product acquisition and use
• Program decisions are based on accurate and current information
• Avoids erratic change management and guesswork
• Reduces product life cycle costs