Configuration management describes the monitoring of a product throughout its entire life cycle and the associated documentation. This includes planning, production, use and disposal. The term configuration unit is essential for this management activity. This describes any combination of different hardware, software and services to form a complete unit. As products are becoming increasingly complex nowadays, clear identification in terms of properties and features is of particular importance. This applies in particular to the areas of special vehicle construction and system integration, for example, where different components make up a coherent overall product. In this way, changes and inspections can be made more traceable and unauthorized interventions in a product can be prevented.
Overall, configuration management can also be seen primarily as information logistics. The precise documentation of product requirements and manufacturing criteria helps to optimize work processes, trace errors or continuously improve the product. Configuration management as part of the product life cycle means always keeping an eye on the following points:
- the customer requirements
- Results of developments with corresponding evidence
- Target configurations
- the current production status
- Actual configurations
- Support and services for delivered products
