530R86123
                                                                  C.1
                       CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

                               GUIDANCE
Prepared by:

Information Management Staff
Office of Policy, Budget, and Program Management
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
                         1 5 APR 1986
                                             U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                             Region V, Library
                                             230 South  Dearborn Street
                                             Chicago, Illinois 60604

-------
 04S. Environs;.:
4S. Environmental ProtrctHn t
                    tICwt'°n Agerfcy

-------
                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

                   CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE

PART I: MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

A. PURPOSE OF CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

     1.1 CM Defined
     1.2 History of CM
     1.3 Objectives of CM
     1.4 Relationship to Life Cycle Management

B. IRM ROLES IN OSWER

     2.1 Program Offices
     2.2 OSWER Managers
     2.3 Configuration Management Boards

C. CM FUNCTIONS AND BASELINES

     3.1 Functions
     3.2 Baselines

D. INTEGRATING LIFE CYCLE AND CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

     4.1 CM and LCM

E. CM CHANGE CONTROL

     5.1 Change Classification
     5.2 Change Procedures
     5.3 Reviews and Audits
     5.4 Configuration Status Accounting


PART II: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE

A. SCOPE OF CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

     1.1 Configuration Management Plan

B. CM RESPONSIBILITIES

     2.1 Roles of Participants

C. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS

     3.1 Configuration Management Board
     3.2 CMB Responsibilities at Project Initiation
     3.3 CMB Baseline Management Responsibilities
     3.4 CMB Change Control Responsibilities
     3.5 CMB Reviews of the AIS           _ .   .
     3.6 Configuration Audits            '.:•":"7,

-------
                        SUMMARY OF CM FUNCTIONS


     Configuration Identification

     Configuration Change Control

     Configuration Status Accounting

     Configuration Auditing



PART III: DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS AND CONTROL PROCEDURES

A. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT BOARD

     1.1 Establishment
     1.2 Meetings
     1.3 Minutes

B. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

     2.1 Approval

C. CONFIGURATION CHANGE CONTROL

     3.1 Classes of Change
     3.2 Change Control Documentation
     3.3 Reviews and Audits
     3.4 Prototyping and Fourth Generation Languages


CM PLAN CHECKLIST

OSWER LCM & CM GLOSSARY

APPENDIX

-------
                      CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT




                         MANAGEMENT SUMMARY




                               PART I
OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART I        Page - 1

-------
                      CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

                              PART I

                              SUMMARY

A.  PURPOSE OF CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

     The purpose  of this  document is  to provide guidance  on
configuration management (CM) of automated information systems  (AIS)  in
the  Office  of  Solid Waste  and  Emergency  Response  (OSWER).
Configuration  management  is  a method applying technical and
administrative direction and surveillance throughout the life of an
AIS.  It is applied consistently and uniformly throughout the  life
cycle of the system.   It  ensures that each  AIS supports the
programmatic functions for which  it is intended.

     1.1 CM Defined

     Configuration management is a discipline which manages the changes
to an AIS.  A change is defined as any  event,  action, or policy
requirement which can or does affect the scope of an AIS, its schedule,
or resource requirements.  CM involves technical and administrative
reviews of the various stages  of development and operation  of an AIS.
It is used to perform the following activities:

     o   Identify and document  functional and physical characteristics
         of the components of an  automated information system;

     o   Control changes to those characteristics;

     o  Record and report  these changes  as well as the  resulting
         implemented status of  the AIS;

     o  Identify and document  inconsistencies  among  successive control
         points as they are established through configuration audits;

     o   Resolve inconsistencies as they relate  to system design,
         system  test results, and system operations.   Ensure  that
         technical and user documentation reflect the resolution of
         these issues.

     The configuration management process is used in concert with the
life  cycle management process to direct the total development of an
automated information system.   These are complementary processes.

     1.2 History of CM

     CM as a  discipline was  started in the 1950's as  part of the
construction of large-scale software projects.  By the 1970's CM had
achieved a place  in the world of data processing  as a well-defined
discipline  for  project management.   The growth  of CM  as a set  of
control  mechanisms  followed hand-in-hand with  the growth in the
complexity and cost of computer-based  information systems.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE —  PART I        Page - 2

-------
LU

8

2
LU
CO
         a
LU     jjj
         cc
         £
        Q
        LLJ
               D
                      LU
                      DC
                      O
                      CO
        QC
        LU
        O


        <
                      LU
                              QC

                              2
                              LT
                              LU
                              Q.
                                      O
                                      I-
                                      9
                                      LU
                                      CO
                                     DC
                                     LJJ
                                     Q.

                                     h-

                                     LJJ
                                     2
                                     LU
                                     <


                                     O
                                     O
                                     O

-------
     CM is practiced today in the Federal government based on two parts
of the Federal  Information Processing Standards publications (FIPS
PUBS) issued by the National Bureau of Standards, U.S. Department of
Commerce.   These are  FIPS PUBS  38  and  64  which discuss software
documentation issues.  In  1986, the Office of Management and Budget
emphasized the use of FIPS PUBS  in its Circular A-130; "Information
Resources Management."

     1.3   Objectives of CM

     OSWER configuration management requires that all  elements or
components of an AIS be fully defined in terms that can be examined,
measured,  and verified.  CM is the only assurance that OSWER-developed
software programs and systems will function as required and planned.
Configuration management provides  assurance of system compliance with
OSWER goals,  objectives, and requirements,  and ensures all changes are
thoroughly documented and continue to meet  the initial program mission.

     There are five basic  objectives for configuration management in
OSWER.

     1. Provide a mechanism to ensure the documentation of  all changes.

     2. Anticipate the effects of changes on the costs or schedules for
       each AIS.

     3. Maintain the integrity of  the project schedule.

     4. Maintain up-to-date documentation on the  status  of the AIS and
        the project.

     5. Ensure that changes and the project administrator's responses
        to them are communicated  to all project personnel.

     Developers of  large or complex AISs often ask why  they should
follow CM  practices.   The answer is simple.   Suppose everyone working
on an AIS  suddenly  left town?  If  there was a good CM  system in place,
it would still be possible to:

     — know  the latest accepted version of every system, subsystem, or
       document;

     — know  the entire change history of the system; and,

     — know everything the system was supposed to do and how to test
       it.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE ~ PART I        Page - 3

-------
     Further, if these questions can be answered, it is then possible
for new personnel to do the following critical tasks with the system.

     — operate the system
     — maintain the system
     — modify the system; or,
     — complete the system if  they had to.

    At every stage of development or operation of  an AIS, there is
documentation defining and describing the system. This  documentation
is  in  the form of system  specifications,  requirements, manuals,
definitions  such as Data  Element Dictionaries (DED),  and  instructions.
To maintain system  integrity,  CM ensures that any necessary change at
any  level is reflected properly at all hierarchical  levels.   In
addition,  there must be  an  "audit" trail from every  functional
requirement through the system  to the point in the programming at which
that requirement is satisfied.    This audit function provides a memory
for the AIS.

     CM deals with the process of change.  Changes to an AIS  can result
from internal or external factors.  Internal factors include changes in
an organization's functions,  its lines of authority,  new personnel or
new assignments for  existing personnel,  as well as the inevitable
changes in resources and priorities  for them.  External factors can in
some ways mimic or even be the cause of internal changes.   These
include new legislation, new hardware or software, changes in the skill
mix of the employees due to changes in the labor market,  or other,
unknown external events which cannot be anticipated

     CM is also  the management discipline used to assess the impacts of
changes to an AIS.  In many cases, changes  will affect the  project
schedule,  the amount  of resources required, and  other factors that the
Project Administrator has "locked up" in the AIS project plan.   If
project disasters are to be avoided, then changes must be  handled in an
orderly and controlled manner.   The procedures for controlling changes
to an AIS over time must be a  formal part of every AIS project plan.
This component  of  an AIS project  plan is  called  a  "Configuration
Management Flan," and it will be described  in detail  in Parts II and
III of this guidance.

     1.4  Relationship to Life  Cycle Management

     Configuration management and  life cycle management (LCM)  have
linked functions within the overall framework of program and project
management.   Along with the disciplines of project management,  CM and
LCM complete a cycle  necessary to ensure that organizational goals and
objectives,  not technical capabilities,  are paramount.  LCM is the
highest level  of organizational control over a project.  It is the
process of making  a  decision to continue,  change,  or end an AIS at
selected points  in the life cycle of that  system.  In summary, LCM  is a
decision making process.  CM  is a change control, documentation, and
review process.


 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART I        Page  - 4

-------
B.  INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ROLES IN OSWER

   2.1  Program Offices

     Each program office  in OSWER has responsibilities for information
resources management (IRM).  These include the requirement to define
its  information  needs,  to monitor the effectiveness  of  each AIS
supporting these needs,  and to specify the requirements for each new
AIS or changes to existing systems as these needs evolve over time.
The primary point of contact in each program office is the Information
Management Coordinator (IMC).

     The IMC  is an  EPA  employee,  usually  a line  supervisor, who
performs the technical oversight of his/her office's compliance with CM
guidance.  AIS Project Administrators usually  report to the IMC or work
closely with the IMC regardless of organizational  lines of authority.

     The Project Administrator (PA) usually is the project manager for
an AIS, or several  AISs, depending on program office priorities and
staff assignments.   The PA is responsible for day-to-day management of
the AIS in terms of costs, schedules,  staffing, and overall  technical
performance of the system.

     2.2  OSWER Managers

     OSWER senior managers are the standing members of the IM Steering
Committee  (SC).   The SC  provides guidance  on policy,  scheduling,
program impacts,  and direction on the development and implementation of
OSWER automated  information systems and the technologies to support
them.

     2.3 Configuration Management Boards

     Configuration  Management  Boards (CMB)  have direct oversight
responsibility for the development and operation of an AIS.   The scope
of activities includes implementation of this guidance for all AISs in
OSWER.   This includes mission critical  systems as well as cross-cutting
administrative systems.   Each CM Board will  have a charter describing
the authority, membership, review and decision making processes, as
well as recordkeeping functions necessary to  support its operations.  A
sample charter is included in Part III of this guidance.

     CMBs are established for each major  programmatic  area.  A separate
Board executes configuration management of cross-cutting administrative
systems.   Program specific systems  are reviewed by program specific CM
Boards,  whose  members  are  appointed  by their respective  office
directors.   Permanent members of the cross-cutting administrative
systems board are appointed by the Chairman of the Steering Committee.
Other  members  of the  CM Board   serve whenever their particular
applications are on the agenda.   The PA for an  application always
attends when his/her application is on the agenda as  does the IMC for
the off ice (s)  involved.


 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART I        Page -  5

-------
 h-

 LU

 LU
          O

          CC
          LU
               CO
               LU
               CC

               CO
               Z
               111
LU _l
/V «^i ^"^
CC D
O O ^
E UJ LU
< 9 o w
§ < U LU
p co <3 o
Sill
SlSa
1- 2 O <
n £2 W
Q LU
Z CO §
< < |
^ LU LU _j
|Sf <
ilfc*
O rr °
^2^1
ss^i
1- Q. CO ^
                              ^£
                              CO LU
                              LU Z
                              O LU
                              Z CD

                              2 § C
                              O < LU
                                               O Q
                                               ^ LU
                             LU
                             CC
                             LU
                             I
TH
                                                    CO
                                                    LU
                                                    I
                               N O
                             LU £ H-
                             5 O CO
GE
U

N
                                       <  h- O  h-  ID O
SCO
2^
is

-------
     Each CMB is responsible for establishing system baselines and
authorizing changes to  the AIS.   The CMB reviews all system
documentation prepared  by the Project  Administrator prior to its
submission to the Steering  Committee for approval  of a System Decision
Paper.  The Configuration Management Board makes technical judgments
that the products of an AIS correctly descend from and satisfy the AIS
Mission Element Needs Statement and  its supporting functional
requirements.  These are not subjective or value judgments, but are
determinations that the actual component-by-component, program-by-
program performance of the parts of an AIS produce the specified system
or end-product output.


C.  CM FUNCTIONS AND BASELINES DEFINED

     3.1 Functions

     There are four primary functions in the configuration management
process:

     o  Configuration Identification; This  process identifies  all
        components of the system being managed.  These are the items of
        the  system identified for configuration management and are
        referred to as "configuration items" (CIs).   The result of
        this process is  the identification of the controllable
        components  of an  AIS; e.g.  the hardware, software,  and
        documentat ion.

     o  Configuration Change  Control; This process is  used to evaluate
        whether changes to  a component of an  AIS should be approved or
        disapproved.

     o  Configuration Status  Accounting;   This is  the  process by which
        changes  made to  a  particular item are recorded.   This
        bookkeeping process denotes what changes have been made, the
        impact of future changes,  and it  also includes a schedule for
        making  future changes to  the  AIS.   It is  the process of
        tracking each configuration item through all of its changes and
        modifications.

     o  Configuration Auditing;  This  is a  detailed review of the
        performance of all configuration  items that constitute an AIS.
        The  audit function is a process that assures compl iance with
        organizational standards for the AIS.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART I        Page - 6

-------
     3.2   Baselines

     The key  to configuration management is  the establishment of
technical control points called "baselines."  In its most fundamental
aspects,  CM  is the systematic evaluation, coordination,  and disposition
of all  proposed changes to these baselines.  The baseline,  plus
approved changes, provide an up-to-date description of an automated
information  system.  There are  four  CM baselines  that Project
Administrators must develop.

     o  Functional -  represents the  approved functional  system
        requirements and associated documentation of these requirements
        (i.e.,  functional and data  requirements  documents).

     o  Allocated/Design - represents the approved specifications  (such
        as system specification,   design  specification, or ..program
        specifications  for ADP  and  data communications)  of the  system.
        The  allocated baseline documentation  specifies the design and
        test criteria of every item subject  to configuration change
        control.

     o  Product - represents the  approved detailed  design of each
        configuration item and  all  supporting documentation  (operators
        manual,  program maintenance manual, users  manual,  etc.) along
        with the updated versions of the specifications.

     o  Operational - represents all the  approved system  CIs,
        documentation,  and procedures required to operate and maintain
        the  AIS  effectively.


D. INTEGRATING LIFE CYCLE AND CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

     The functions and  baselines of configuration management  relate to
the phases of Life Cycle Management in the following manner.

     4.1 CM  and  LCM

     Life Cycle Phases  1 £ 2: the MENS and Concept  Development, define
the functional requirements  of  an  AIS.  Once these  are  approved by the
Steering Committee, they become the basis for the "Functional  Baseline"
established in CM.  The CMB  controls and monitors  the  effects of
changes to a baseline to provide confidence that the AIS satisfies the
need identified in the MENS.  At project initiation, the CMB reviews
the contractor's CM plan, which is the only basis for determining that
CM as a discipline will be effective for this  AIS.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART I        Page - 7

-------
LU
LU
LL
CO
LU
cc
HI
LU
CO
cc
p
CD


O

LU
I
«,
UJ
8
i
Q.
|
«^

LU

^
I
Q.
2
3


CO
LU
I
CL
2

CJ
LU
I
Q.
2


LU
I
Q.
1

O
^£
a:
LU
a.
O


LU
2>
Q.
2
LU
LU
O














Z
O
CO
UJ
Q
H
8>
O

LU JZ
3 ^
£i



Z •"*
o-cc
2 Q.
"^

CO
CO CO












(r
O
a.
a.
co
LU
_J
LU
1
-1


o
Sit
C/5 ^J ^™
IL?<
°- Z
O
O

^1
g^p
cc —
^o §
CL C <
o
o


z
O D 5
O o 3
i * ~ ^r
"• 1 1 ^^
— J M
o
_i O
FUNCTIONA
DNFIGURATJi
AUDIT
0




CC
^
8
LU
O
§
I
o








1-
Q
3
a

^>
UJ
I
cc
0








o
|
o
o
LU"
_J
LU
»ff
m















QQ
> LU
O w
UJ Li.
zco

-------
 UJ PC
O
O
  UJ

  ±5

  9
  HI
LJJ Q

2UJ
uj h
o t

$2
z oc
< UJ
20-

^ UJ
         DC2
         68
         ^
           o
           o
                                         oc
                                         o
                                         UJ
                                         CO
                                         UJ
                                         CE
                                         Q.
                                         CO
                                         UJ

                                         8

-------
     Life Cycle Phase J3;  th&  System Program and Design Specifications,
once approved by the Steering Committee, establish the basis for the
"Allocated Baseline"  established in CM.  The CMB determines a point in
the design to begin control of design documentation.  It continues to
control that documentation throughout  the life of the AIS.  All systems
undergo changes.    Change  control  ensures  that all changes are
necessary,  beneficial,  and  can  be  implemented without adverse effects
on any other part of the AIS.

     Life Cycle Phase £: Software System Tests,  Technical,  and User
Manuals, once approved by the Steering Committee, establish the basis
for the "Product Baseline" in CM.

     Life Cycle Phase 5: the Operational AIS, establishes the basis for
the "Operational Baseline" in CM.  The CIs for a fully implemented
system include every aspect of that system including the hardware,
system software, peripherals,  as  well as third party software,  e.g.,
the application.


E. CM CHANGE CONTROL

     5.1 Change Classification

     Changes to an  established baseline are classified as:

     Class I -  changes  affect the  operational capability of the AIS as
     specified in the baseline.   It may also be a change required to
     maintain the compatibility of interfaces with equipment, software
     programs, or support facilities.

     Class  II - changes  may  be implemented without further approval.
     These include  editorial changes,  corrections in coding of computer
     programs,  and  other  changes of a minor  nature.

     Class III  - changes which simply make a Ci  what it was intended to
     be, e.g., deletion of redundent lines of code.

     5.2 Change Procedures

     Class I changes require  a formal,  documented change proposal, an
impact assessment, and coordination and review by the Configuration
Management Board.   Class  II changes are also reported in  a formal
document that references  the  affected baseline(s), includes a
description of  the  change,  and a justification of why  it  is a Class II
change.   Examples of change control  forms are  included in Part III of
this guidance.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART I        Page - 8

-------
DC
LU
Q
DC
O
LU
DC
LU
O
O

CO

O
       LU
^
  I
          PM
          1*3 If
          l-i I
          ^ 8 t
         ?///////////,
                 O
          fa*
          /&
?UK%Z
^§|l
^?E<^
          V, o ^
          V//////>,
XQ-Z
2 o
          g™
? °
gd5
        2gf«
               il^
          iil
          I'll
          '••'MV^.
             Ma.
w\
t-*o  2
4< P  y
IN
Jli
               Sg^

               &- ^
              '?
          ^-5 ?
          ^ o ^
          v///////.
     O
     cc


     O
     O
     LU
     O

     <

     O
Q

3
O

<
       LU
       CC

       O
                        O
                        DC
8
LU

LU
LJL
O


O
oc
     O
            m^
            pp
            p
            ffii
            HOQJ
     
-------
     5.3  Reviews and Audits

     A series  of reviews must be scheduled at significant points in the
developmental process  for an AIS.   These reviews provide control points
for the design and implementation of the AIS.  CM typically requires
the following formal reviews:

                            Review  (SRR) :  a formal  review of the
       .
     functional  requirements of an AIS.

     System Design Review (SDR) : a formal  review of the system design
     approach for an AIS.

     Preliminary Design Review  (PDR): a formal review of the subsystem
     design approach for each configuration item.

     Critical Design Review (CDR) :  a  formal review conducted at the end
     of the definition and design  phase  and before the  translation of
     the      logic and algorithms to coded instructions.

     Functional Configuration Audit (FCA) : the formal examination of
     each configuration  item  to verify that the performance specified
     in the system specifications has been achieved.

     Physical Conf igur at ion Audit  (PCA):  the formal examination of the
     coded version of  a computer program configuration item against its
     technical documentation.

     5.4 Configuration Status Accounting

     This is the reporting and documenting of all proposed changes.
Accounting procedures  ensure  that  baselines are maintained accurately
and  changes to them are recorded in  a timely manner.   This is
accomplished by the PA through the documenting of proposed or actual
changes to baselines,  designs, software,  or data  structures.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART I        Page - 9

-------
UJ
cc
LU LU
i-o
COh-
DCZ
DUJ
ZQ.
OQ
UJ
I
                                 LU
                                 O
    P
                                 cos -J
                                 %o^
S
TS
LU HI LU .
22!^
LUm^Z
QICOLU

-------
                      CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT




                              GUIDANCE




                              PART II
OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II       Page 1

-------
                      CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

                              PART II

                             GUIDANCE
A.  SCOPE OF CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

     l.l Configuration Management Plan

     The scope of configuration  management  as applied to OSWER
automated information systems includes software development and system
operation.   Configuration  management begins with a"Configuration
Management Plan"  for controlled development  of  an AIS.  The
Configuration Management Plan presents the procedures and control
points for each identified CM function.  The plan is prepared by the
Project  Administrator and  defines  the participation  of  the
organizations concerned  with development of an AIS.  An outline of the
required elements of a  Configuration Management Plan is included in
Part III of this guidance. After a Configuration Management Plan is
developed,  the  Configuration Management Board ensures that the  plan is
implemented and followed in proper detail and that all substantive
changes to  the AIS are approved.

     The size and complexity of an AIS will determine  the degree of
formal configuration management that will  be required, but certain
actions,  such as the use of a  Data  Element Dictionary, are always
required.   The  performance of  the  AIS is the primary concern of
configuration management.  System documentation is the formal record of
that performance.

B.  CM RESPONSIBILITIES

     2.1 Roles of Participants

     The primary participants and their responsibilities in the CM
process are as follows:

     Project  Administrator;   The PA  is responsible  for  the
documentation that defines and describes total AIS development as well
as single components of a system. The PA ensures the system supports
the mission need and is developed and implemented according to the
design.

     In this guidance,  configuration management is referred to  as a PA
responsibility, even though actual  performance may be by a contractor,
a government agency, or an internal OSWER staff.    Oversight of the PA
in terms  of quality  assurance is also  performed  by the OSWER
Information Management Coordinator (IMC) for the office responsible for
the AIS.  The IMC is a permanent member of the CMB reviewing the AIS.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II      Page 2

-------
3
CC
o
o

LU
I
                ?ESt2

-------
     Configuration Management Board (CMS);  CMBs are established for
each major programmatic  area.   A  separate board executes configuration
management  of cross-cutting administrative systems.   Each CMB is
responsible for establishing system baselines and authorizing changes
to  their AISs.   Each board  has oversight responsibility for the
development and operation of all AISs within  its jurisdiction. The role
of the CMB is to ensure the AIS continues to meet the mission need and
fulfills  its design criteria as it evolves and changes over time. The
CMB reviews and  delivers  any documentation  for system development or
operation of an AIS that requires a decision  by the Steering Committee.

     Steering  Committee;  It is the policy making body for information
resources management issues.  The Steering Committee  reviews  plans and
budgets,  and makes system development  and operation decisions based on
documentation  produced by the Project Administrator and reviewed by the
CMB.  The Steering Committee delegates authority for implementation of
CM  for specific AISs  to the Project Administrator.  The PA is
accountable for the quality of his/her work to the IMC and to the CMB.


C. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS

     3.1 Configuration Management  Board

          Duties and Responsibilities;

     a. Review and approve the CM  Plan

     b. Review the AIS baseline  prepared at the time the project is
     initiated as  well as  prior to the presentation of System Decision
     Paper I  to  the  Steering  Committee.  Review subsequent System
     Decision  Papers as they are prepared by  the PA.

     c. Ensure that the PA maintains proper files and records on the
     baselines established  for the AIS.

     d. Review the PA's change control procedures and ensure they are
     implemented at the appropriate points  in the development of the
     AIS.

     &. Approve all Class I changes and monitor the  quality  of system
     change documents.

     f. Conduct configuration  audits including key configuration item
     reviews,  which  are  the  "Preliminary Design Review" and the
     "Critical Design  Review."
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE —  PART II       Page 3

-------
OSWER CONFIGURATION
 CHANGE  MANAGEMENT
                 PREPARE
                SOFTWARE
              CHANGE PROPOSAL
                MAKE, TEST, &
                DOCUMENT
                 CHANGE
              MAINTAIN CHANGE
              RECORD & SUBMIT
               AT NEXT AUDIT
                SUBMIT TO
                OSWER CMB
               WITH PRIORITY
               MAKE, TEST, &
                DOCUMENT
                 CHANGE
                  I
                 LOG AND
                 RECORD
                CMB ACTION
PROJECT
ADMINISTRATOR
                          PROJECT CMB
PERFORMING
ORGANIZATION
PROJECT CMB
PROJECT
ADMINISTRATOR
                          OSWER CMB
                          OSWER CMB
PERFORMING
ORGANIZATION
OSWER CMB

-------
     g.  Conduct baseline audits at each stage  in the life cycle of the
     AIS including:

          — LCM Phases 1 & 2:  Functional Requirements  Baseline audit
          — LCM Phase 3: Allocated  (Design) Baseline audit
          — LCM Phase 4: Product  Configuration audit
          — LCM Phase 5: Physical Configuration audit


     3.2 CMB Responsibilities at Project Initiation

     The  CMB  has  a number of  important responsibilities at  the
initiation of an AIS.   First,  the  CMB must review the statement of
work, the project plan, and the  PA's Configuration Management Plan.
Second, the CMB must approve a calendar of configuration management
meetings related to the  development schedule  of the AIS.   All members
of the CMB must commit themselves to keeping  this calendar.  -The size
and complexity of the AIS will determine the scope of the Configuration
Management Plan.  However, the use of a Data Element  Dictionary will
always be a  required element of a  CM Plan.

     3.3 CMB Baseline Management Responsibilities

     The CMB has the primary responsibility for reviews and audits of
the  baselines  of an AIS.    The PA  has  the  technical management
responsibility for developing and operating the AIS.   The CMB is
accountable to  the Steering Committee  for ensuring that the PA has
developed an AIS that satisfies the "Mission  Element  Needs Statement"
(MENS) at each baseline.  This is accomplished through its oversight
role in reviewing the documentation for the AIS.

     The CMB is also responsible  for maintaining the  integrity of the
AIS baselines  during its control  of changes to those  baselines.   Once
the CMB has approved a baseline, that baseline cannot be changed
without further approval of the CMB.

     3.4 CMB Change Control Responsibilities

     The CMB has the authority, derived from the Steering Committee,
and responsibility to approve all Class  I changes to configuration
items.  A change can be  classified as Class I if it meets one or more
of the following criteria:

     — the change will  cause increases in the cost of the AIS or the
        time for completion of components or the entire system;

     — the change will affect test  procedures or schedules;

     — the change involves interfaces with other computer systems;
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE ~ PART II       Page 4

-------
OSWER CONFIGURATION
    MANAGEMENT AT
   PROJECT INITIATION
          PREPARE
           MENS
           ±
          PREPARE
         CM STATEMENT
          OF WORK
          DETERMINE
           LCM/CM
        RESPONSIBILITIES
PROJECT
ADMINISTRATOR
PROJECT
ADMINISTRATOR
                   OSWER CMB
CMB AND
STEERING COMMITTEE
                   PERFORMING
                   ORGANIZATION
                   OSWER CMB
                   OSWER CMB
                   OSWER CMB

-------
OSWER BASELINE MANAGEMENT
                   PREPARE BASELINE
                   FOR WALKTHROUGH
                     AND AUDIT
                     BASELINE
                    CONSISTENT &  > OSWER CMB
               N0 \  ADEQUATE?
                      HANG
                     REQUIRED
                     TO PRIOR
                       LINES?
PROJECT
ADMINISTRATOR
                               OSWER CMB
OSWER CMB
                               PERFORMING
                               ORGANIZATION
                              OSWER CMB
                              OSWER CMB

-------
     — the change will  affect computer performance, disk storage,
        memory requirements,  or other critical  system performance
        parameters; or

     — the change will affect  privacy, security, or data validity.

     Class I changes  are  reviewed based on their priority.   There  are
three priorities for review of  Class I changes.

     Priority  1 Emergency; The  system is down and no alternative method
exists for accomplishing  the necessary functions.   The Chairperson of
the  CMB,  or  in  that person's  absence,  the  Director,  Information
Management Staff, may authorize the action required to bring the  AIS
back to fully operational status.  A follovup, complete justification
for the action and report on the emergency must be  submitted to the  CMB
as quickly as is practical.  All affected configuration items must be
reviewed  by the  PA and the CMB to  ensure the integrity of the AIS's
baselines.

     Priority 2 Urgent; A "work around" solution to a job has caused
operational or unintended problems that cannot be resolved without
further changes to the AIS. Documentation of the problem and system
testing are a priority  and the CMB  must  be briefed as to  why an
unauthorized "work around" was  attempted that distrupted the integrity
of the AIS. The CMB will submit a report on any unauthorized actions
to the Chairman of the Steering Committee.

     Priority  3 Routine;  The CMB is responsible for prompt resolution
of proposed changes to  an AIS baseline.   However,  routine change
requests  should  be handled in a manner that does not interfere with
other, higher  priority activities.


     3.5 CMB Reviews of the AIS

     The configuration items that make up a baseline are reviewed  and
the baseline  as a whole  is audited. Because configuration items  are
reviewed during major life  cycle phases, a CI may be examined several
times during its development in increasing levels  of detail.  Before a
set  of configuration  items  is accepted as  a  baseline,  a  formal
examination is performed. There  are two review processes:  preliminary
and  critical; and four audits: functional  requirements, allocated
(design),  product configuration,  and physical  configuration.   The
following paragraphs  describe these  reviews and audits.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II      Page 5

-------
     Preriini.narY  Reviews:  These  are conducted by the  Project
Administrator  and  usually include  a structured walkthrough of the
configuration item.   The goals of this review are to:

     o  assure that the system designers thoroughly understand the
        configuration items to be developed;

     o  keep the system designers  from  expending effort in the wrong
        direction;

     o  provide management with an understanding of the system design
        which may be useful in guiding other configuration  items or in
        achieving smooth system integration;  and/

     o  communicate design detail between system development team
        members.

     Critical Reviews: These are initiated by the Project Administrator
after a major portion of the work has been completed and an initial
version of each configuration item  has been developed and implemented.
At this point,  the  PA and the Configuration Management Board jointly
perform the review.   Again, the PA may be asked to present a structured
walkthrough of  the  configuration item.   This critical review,  which is
more formal and detailed, identifies specific shortcomings of each
configuration item that require further attention in order to produce a
satisfactory result.  Specific goals  of the critical review are to:

     o  ensure  that the configuration item,  as  implemented,  conforms to
        all preceding approved documentation;

     o  ensure that any additional specific guidance provided by
        management (privately or through the preliminary review) is
        reflected in the product; and,

     o  ensure  that the item conforms to project and agency standards.


     3.6 Configuration Audits

     A  baseline audit  is a detailed technical  analysis of  all
configuration items developed during implementation of each  life cycle
phase  of  an  AIS.   It  ensures that each CI conforms to  the
specifications set forth as well as all documentation that is under
configuration control in the current  baseline.

     Because of the broad  scope of  a baseline audit,   it may be
repetitive with initial examination resulting in modification and
subsequent followup review of configuration items.   The PA will perform
such  modifications  in  order  to make the  CI conform to  the
specifications.  The PA ensures that any modification representing a
change in specifications is handled  through the configuration control
procedures.


 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II      Page 6

-------
     The computer programs that make up the operational  AIS  go through
the life cycle phases that  create the CM baselines.   These phases
include:  1) concept development;  2)  definition and design;  3) system
development; and 4) operation,  maintenance, and evaluation.  Baseline
audits are performed after each of these four phases.

     The baselines  and their corresponding audits are listed below.

    Baseline                   Audit

    Functional                  Functional Requirements
    Allocated/Design            Allocated (Design)
    Product                    Product Configuration
    Operational                 Physical Configuration


     Functional Requirements Audit:  This takes place at the end of Life
Cycle Phases l & 2  (MENS and Concept Development).  It constitutes a
necessary review by the  CMB of System Decision Paper I prior to its
presentation to the Steering Committee.  The functional requirements
audit consists of a detailed examination of the functional description,
the data requirements, and the Configuration Management Plan (CMP).
Approval of documentation during the functional  requirements audit
provides the basis for identification of a series of  configuration
items to be developed during the definition and design phase of the
AIS.  A general description  of these CI's must be included in the CM
Plan.   Results of this audit establish the functional baseline.

    Allocated/design Audit; This takes place near the end of  Life Cycle
Phase 3  (Design).  It constitutes a necessary review  by the CMB of
System  Decision Paper II prior to its presentation  to the Steering
Committee.   The  allocated/design audit  is conducted at the completion
of  the  definition and design phase of the AIS.   It is a detailed
examination of the documentation of the CI's  to be developed during
this phase.   This audit assures that  these configuration items conform
to the  functional  design of the system as provided  by the original
Mission Elements Meeds Statement and  as modified by functional changes
approved by the CMB and the Steering Committee.

     There are two types of  CI documentation audited at this point:
first is computer software definition;  second  is specification of the
elements of the AIS  data base  that are to  be manipulated by the
software.  The allocated/design audit ensures the required consistency
and coordination between  these  two types of documentation.  Results of
this audit establish the allocated/design baseline.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II       Page 7

-------
     Product Configuration Audit; This takes place near the end of Life
Cycle Phase 4  (System Development).   It  constitutes a necessary review
by the CMB of System Decision Paper III prior to its presentation to
the Steering Committee.  The product  configuration audit is a technical
audit of  the  results of  baseline testing and test data.  The CMB
conducts this  audit prior to installation  of an updated version of the
AIS.  This audit and the  physical  configuration audit are the only
audits that are repeated during the  life of the system.  They also are
the only audits in which the CMB does not confine itself to a review of
documentation.

     In this audit,  all  configuration items that have been changed or
implemented  since  the  last audit  are reviewed.   This includes
acceptance testing of software.  The methodology and procedures for
these tests are  included in the PA's system test  plan, which  is a
configuration  control item.  It is also desirable to test and examine
all programs that have not themselves been changed, but may be affected
by the changes to other CIs.   For  example,  if a program creating a
reference table  is modified,  any program or subsystem reading that
table must be  retested.

     The product  configuration  audit assures  that all software,
documentation,  and procedures accurately  reflect the  system
specifications as modified through configuration change control. At
the conclusion of this audit, the PA develops a checklist for use in
the physical configuration audit.

     Physical Configuration Audit; This takes place near the end of
Life Cycle Phase  5  (Operations).   It constitutes a necessary review by
the CMB of System Decision Paper IV prior to  its presentation to the
Steering Committee.  The physical configuration audit is a formal
examination by the Configuration Management Board to  determine that the
fully developed AIS conforms in all respects  with its specifications,
tests,  and requirements documentation.

     The PA's system test plan contains the procedures, descriptions of
test software, and acceptable performance  criteria that  prove the AIS
or any of  its subsystems fully  satisfy  the  intended need.  The PA
ensures that the user(s) of the system sign off on  the  test plan and
the CMB ensures this action.   The physical configuration audit:

     o  ensures  operational soundness of software,  hardware,  and
        documentation;

     o  reviews documentation to verify all changes are included;

     o  ensures  that  each  configuration item  in  the  baseline is
        performing as intended  and that  the  baseline as a whole is
        meeting the requirement for which it was  established; and

     o  ensures the system is still  meeting requirements  of the MENS.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II       Page 8

-------
 o
 I
 LU

 LU

 LLJ

 \-

 LU

 O
 CL

 O
 O
 DC


£
LJJ
Si
o
               8
       8
                                          ggco
i * r ~r


z
o
i
LL
111
Q





O
rr
t^B
8


O


h-
z
0
o
^ ^
^
05
§
g




O
z
1-
Q
3


t t t t
                          LU
                                  - Q
                                  (O
                                  LU
                                  O

-------
                       SUMMARY OF CM FUNCTIONS

Configuration Identification

ISSUE:     What is my system configuration?

FUNCTION:  It is the process of identifying the controllable components
          of  an  AIS  by  defining  and  documenting  measurable
          characteristics of hardware, software, and documentation.
          The identified components become individually controlled
          "configuration items"  (CI).   A particular  CI may be a
          hardware or software item or a document.  Thus, a system is
          composed of CIs and the management of each CI constitutes
          management of the configuration of the total system.  Each CI
          is  documented in  specifications  or  other types  of
          documentation.  When this  documentation  is  approved,  usually
          at management reviews, the total group of CIs becomes  the
          foundation for establishing a baseline.

PA ROLE:   Prepare the Statement of Work
          Prepare the Configuration Management  Plan

CMB ROLE:  Review the  Mission Element Needs Statement
          Review and approve the Statement of Work
          Review and  approve the Configuration  Management Plan


     The  Configuration Management Plan,  prepared by  the  Project
Administrator, provides and manages configuration control over  the
development or operation and maintenance of an AIS.  The plan:

     o   presents the procedures for each identified CM function;

     o   identifies configuration items;

     o   specifies what  CM  baselines should be established and at what
        points of development;

     o   identifies documentation requirements for each baseline;

     o   defines the participation of the organization concerned with
        development  of the AIS: names the participants and  defines
        their roles on the CMB; and,

     o   lists the CM schedule.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE ~ PART II       Page 9

-------
     The CMB will review the MENS before submitting it to the Steering
Committee for approval.  If the AIS is approved,  the CMB will  review
the requirements  expressed in the Project Administrator's statement of
work and will approve them for the particular application.

Note: A  complete checklist  to be  used by the CMB  in assessing the
adequacy of the Configuration Management Plan is  included in Appendix
A of this guidance.
Configuration Change Control

ISSUE:     How do I control changes to my system's configuration?

FUNCTION:  This is the systematic evaluation, coordination, and approval
          or  disapproval  of proposed changes to any baseline.  Formal
          control of the configuration of a system begins with the
          definition and approval  of a baseline  for  the  system and
          continues throughout the system's life cycle.  All  changes to
          a baseline must be proposed on a system change request form
          (SCR)  that describes  the change and its  impacts on  all
          affected CIs.

PA ROLE:   Determines class status and priority of proposed changes.
          Maintains change records.

CMB ROLE:  Reviews the Mission Element Needs Statement.
          Approves class status changes and priorities.
          Maintains logs of CMB actions.


     The Configuration Management Plan defines  the  procedures for
configuration  change control including  type of change,   source of
change,  sample  forms, submission  criteria,  and  implementation
requirements.  The  plan also defines CMB procedures for  screening,
coordination, evaluation, and disposition of proposed changes.   All
proposed changes will be evaluated to determine if they:

     o  correct deficiencies;

     o  satisfy need and operation requirements;

     o  effect substantive life cycle cost savings; and/

     o  prevent schedule slippage.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II       Page 10

-------
     The Project Administrator  screens all  change proposals to
determine the class status and priority of the change.  The CMB has the
authority and responsibility to approve all class status changes to
configuration items and approve the priority under which changes are to
be implemented.

Note:  A complete description of class status and priorities is given in
Part III of this guidance.
Configuration Status Accounting

ISSUE:    What changes have I made to my system?

FUNCTION: The  activity here  is  to record and  track the "approved
         configuration baseline" and the implementation status of
         changes being made to the baseline.  This documentation is
         the  means through which actions  affecting individual
         configuration  items are  recorded and reported to .the
         appropriate managers of the AIS.   It  is the bookkeeping part
         of  configuration  management  that  provides feedback
         information  to  determine whether decisions  of the
         Configuration Management Board are being  implemented as
         directed.

PA ROLE:  Performs status tracking and provides  required reports.

CMB ROLE: Reviews and approves status accounting reports.


     Status accounting is the recording of how the AIS evolved and
where the  system is at any  time relative to  what  appears in the
published baseline documentation.  It is the  administrative tracking
and reporting of  all  configuration  items  formally identified and
controlled.  It also involves the maintenance of records to support
software configuration auditing.  Although administrative in nature,
status accounting is a function that increases in complexity as the
system life cycle progresses. This complexity generally results in
large amounts of data being  recorded and reported.  In particular,
configuration status accounting encompasses reporting and recording the
following:

     o  the time at which each to-be-established baseline and update
        came into being;

     o  descriptive information for each configuration  item;

     o  descriptive information about each change;

     o  status of each change to a configuration item;
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART II      Page 11

-------
        status of technical and administrative documentation associated
        with  a baseline or update (such as a plan prescribing tests to
        be performed on a baseline for updating purposes);  and,

        deficiencies in a to-be-established baseline uncovered during a
        configuration audit.
Configuration Auditing

ISSUE:     Does the system I am building satisfy the stated needs?

FUNCTION:  This  is the quality assurance activity  for configuration
          management.  It is a detailed process used to examine all
          configuration items in a baseline or the baseline as a whole
          to assure that  the functional  and physical  state of the
          configuration  item or baseline complies  with  the
          documentation approved by the CMB.  This process provides
          management with a capability to direct the  technical activity
          of system development along the required path.

PA ROLE:   Provides agenda for reviews and baseline audits.
          Conducts preliminary configuration item reviews.

CMB ROLE:  Reviews Mission Element Needs Statement.
          Performs critical reviews  of CIs.
          Performs audits of AIS baselines.
          Maintains logs of audit and review actions.
          Reports audit concerns to  PA and Steering Committee.

     The Configuration Management Plan includes a schedule of audits
and reviews in  the development and1 implementation of the AIS.  The
Configuration Management Board is responsible to the Steering Committee
for ensuring that the system satisfies the  approved MENS at each
baseline.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE ~ PART II       Page 12

-------
                      CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT




                     DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS




                                 AND




                         CONTROL PROCEDURES




                              PART III
OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page 1

-------
                      CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

          DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS AND CONTROL PROCEDURES

                             PART III
     Each major  OSWER  program office  designates a  Configuration
Management  Board with oversight  responsibility  for  the automated
information  systems used to support their program missions.   This part
of the guidance contains the documentation requirements and control
procedures to  implement configuration management in the  development of
those AISs.

     The following is  a  list of  activities in  the  configuration
management process and  the  documentation or procedures required to
achieve each step.  Except for change control, which can occur anytime
after the establishment of the first baseline, the CM process follows a
natural progression that is  based on the life cycle decisions being
made.

A.  CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT  BOARD

     1.1 Establishment

     Each Configuration Management Board will be established by charter
with membership consisting of "standing members" drawn from the program
offices, the  OSWER Information Management Staff, and the Office of
Information  Resources Management. Standing members of program specific
CMBs are appointed by their respective office directors.  Standing
members may  appoint ad hoc  members  representing  specific AIS
constituencies.  Both standing members and ad hoc members have equal
vote on the Board.  Each member or  approved  alternate will attend all
meetings and participate  in reviews or audits.  A sample CMB charter is
in the appendix.

     1.2 Meetings

     CMB meetings  are used  to review  the status of the  AIS,  its
baselines,  and configuration  items.   They provide  a forum  for routine
review  of  Class II and  Class III changes made since the previous
meeting, give the CMB  an opportunity  to resolve trouble reports
submitted as  well  as consider new non-emergency change proposals,
change requests, and trouble reports.  These meetings also serve to
notify  the CMB of any changes  in review and  audit schedules.

     In addition, the CMB can hold three types of special meetings:

     o   A kickoff meeting to review the technical  description of the
         AIS and a draft  outline of the Configuration Management Plan;
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page 2

-------
     o   A meeting to approve the PA's Configuration Management Plan;
         and,

     o   AIS trouble or emergency meetings to make decisions that
         cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting.

      In a "kickoff" meeting,  the  CMB  will determine whether the draft
outline of the Configuration Management Plan implies a level of effort
on the part of the PA that is excessive for the AIS.  If so, the Board
may recommend, for non-complex AISs, that the PA be required to submit
a less complex "CM Plan" so that CM is tailored to the realities of the
AIS effort.  A special meeting also will be held to approve the PA's
final CM Plan.

     Special meetings also may be called in response to emergencies
that require immediate action or special situations which,  although not
emergencies, require action before the next scheduled CMB meeting in
order to avoid  disruption of the AIS  developmental or  operational
effort.   A major  feature of emergency meetings is the establishment of
the schedule for  documentation,  review,  and  audit,  if any of these need
to be performed  after-the-fact to meet the emergency.  Where possible,
such deferral is  to be avoided.

     1.3  Minutes

     Each Configuration Management Board meets as necessary to monitor
the status of the AIS.  It is  a requirement of CM that minutes of every
meeting be kept.   The minutes of each meeting are the primary product
generated  and may be in any format determined by the chairman of the
CMB.  The minutes provide a history of all AIS decisions by:

     o  listing all actions taken and the reasons for CMB decisions;

     o  listing  all  documentation submitted in support of statements
        and proposals; and,

     o  recording the schedule  for implementation  of approved changes
        as part  of the CMB monitoring function.


B.  CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

     2.1  Approval

     The  PA's plan must  ensure that the CMB can  execute  its
responsibilities  in configuration management.  It is the responsibility
of the PA to devise a plan that is satisfactory to the CMB. It is the
CMB's responsibility to verify that the plan is fully in compliance
with this guidance.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page  3

-------
     The CMB approves the Project Administrator's  plan by memorandum,
to which is attached a copy of the executed plan checklist.  A sample
checklist is included in the appendix.   The flow of activity begins
with  initial  establishment of the  level  at which  configuration
management will be pursued in  project development and  ends with
approval of the plan.

     Responsibility for  providing the  CMB with adequate understanding
of the nature and complexity of the system rests with the PA, as does
initial screening of the plan against  the checklist.   To the greatest
extent  possible,  existing CM procedures  will  be used  (to  avoid
unnecessary costs),  but the provisions of the checklist  should be
present in the  plan.

     Regardless of  the complexity of the  AIS,  the CMB will ensure that
the following minimum requirements are  met:

     — Organization;  CMB decisions  must be independent of project
        administration and the Board must have sufficient authority to
        enforce CM  requirements.

     — Configuration Identification;   The plan must  identify a set of
        configuration items which, taken together, adequately define
        the AIS,  its baselines,  and its documentation.   An identifica-
        tion or numbering scheme must be used that  permits not only
        hierarchical  relation of  the CI's but "horizontal" relation as
        well.

     — Data Element Dictionary  (DED):  In addition to use of the OSWER
        DED, it is preferable  that the project utilize a  dedicated
        automated system.  Regardless of whether a manual or an auto-
        mated  CM system is used,  the DED must  have provisions to
        control all data elements,  algorithms,  interfaces,  specifica-
        tions,  documentation,  test parameters, and data relationships.

     — Configuration Control;  The configuration  control process must
        encompass baselines,  versions, documentation, software at and
        below the CI level,  specifications, and Class I,  Class II, and
        Class'III changes.

     — Configuration Status Accounting; The  accounting methods must
        ensure currency and accuracy of the status of all controlled
        configuration items,  a  method  for dissemination  of status
        information to all project personnel and users.

     — Reviews and Audits:  In addition to appropriate provisions for
        internal reviews and  audits, the configuration management pro-
        cess must permit CMB review and audit that minimizes the time
        OSWER personnel  spend in reviewing and auditing,  while at the
        same time maximizing OSWER CMB  oversight and  control functions.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE  — PART III       Page 4

-------
     — Software Library;  The AIS must have provisions for control and
        storage of master  copies  of  all  software during both develop-
        ment  and operational phases.


C.  CONFIGURATION CHANGE CONTROL

     As with other configuration management functions,  the CMB has
oversight responsibility for change control of developmental or opera-
tional AISs,  but does not have technical  responsibility for the changes
and their management.   Nevertheless, the CMB must have  (through the
Board  itself or the  IMS  acting in a  staff and advisory role) the
technical knowledge necessary to evaluate the merit of proposed changes
and to determine that the PA has considered the appropriate ramif ic-
tions of any proposed  change.

     3.1  Classes of Change

     Changes are identified by classes  (Class  I - Formal, Class II -
Informal, and Class III - Technical).   The CMB has the authority and
responsibility  to  approve all Class I changes  to configuration items.
Changes to Classes II  and  III do not need to be  approved by the CMB.

     Class I (Formal) changes are major changes  that affect operational
capability  as  specified in the baseline, or is a change required  to
maintain the capability of interfaces with systems equipment,  computer
programs or  facilities.  Class I  changes to CI's are those which:

     o  cause cost increase or schedule delays;

     o  require any change in test procedures or schedules;

     o  involve interfaces with other systems;

     o  change system timing or memory storage/reserve requirements;

     o  reduce, degrade, or modify substantially any  operational cap-
        ability as  specified  in baseline specifications or other
        documents;

     o  impact privacy,  security,  or  data validity; or,

     o  have any impact on OSWER organizational matters, including
        personnel utilization,  personnel qualifications, operational
        procedures, maintenance,  or training.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page 5

-------
     Class II (Informal)  changes  are modifications within a CI that do
not change the controlled characteristics of the CI  —  input, output,
interfaces,  use,  or test documentation — but does  change  the CI
internally in such a way that program listings are changed,  future
modifications or maintenance would require knowledge  of  the change, or
processing steps have been substantially modified  even though they
produce the  same result.  If the old CI and the modified CI are not
interchangeable in the operational AIS,  the  change cannot be  Class II.
The most  common Class II  changes are  those  made to improve  system
efficiency or to comply with quality assurance standards.

      Class III (Technical) changes  are  those which simply make the CI
do what it was intended to do in the manner originally specified.  An
example would be the deletion of redundant lines of code.  Technical
changes are rigorously documented by the PA (as are Class I and Class
II changes) because what may seem to be a routine technical change  may,
in fact, have much greater ramifications, making it necessary  to return
to the condition prior to the change to correct a problem.


     3.2   Change Control Documentation

     The change  control procedures presented in the approved Configura-
tion Management Plan are  accomplished through the use of  forms designed
for the purpose.   Types of forms used would be:

     Log of CMB  Actions and Minutes of Meetings
     System Change Requests
     Document Change Requests
     Software Change Proposal
     Software Trouble  Reports
     Change Request Status Reports
     Technical Change  Requests
     Technical Change  Summaries
     Emergency Change  Requests
     Problem  Resolution Summaries

     Information that  the PA must ensure appears on these forms should
include at a minimum:

     Performing organization name
     AIS name and identifying number
     Title of the change request
     Type  and priority of change  (Class I, Emergency)
     Identity of CI's  to be changed
     Justification for change
     Performance requirements
     Impact of change  on performance and on other CI's
     Interface requirements
     Cost  to  implement change
     Work  plan and schedule for change
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page 6

-------
     The system change  request documents major  changes that affect
functionality of  a configuration item.  There also are document and
technical change requests that improve but do not modify functionality,
i.e.,  clarifying report headers,  adding a date  on a printout, etc.
Document  and technical change  requests are retained by the PA for
review by the CMB.

     Software Trouble Reports; These ordinarily come to the CMB only as
backup to a  change request.  The Board may wish to examine them in
connection with a pending change approval action.   The project trouble
report system must  provide a  means for users and system maintainers to
bring problems to  the  attention of the Board so that authorization may
be  granted  to examine  the problem  in  detail  and determine  the
appropriate resolution.

     The Configuration Management Board change log serves  a historical
purpose in addition to  permitting the CMB to track the progress of
changes it has authorized.  A change log form will be maintained for
each AIS.  Prior  to each regular CMB meeting,  the secretary will
determine the status of all changes that are still in progress or have
not been formally  approved and update the change log accordingly.

     Version  Control;  A "version" may  correspond  to  a  baseline
configuration but  it can also refer to individual  CI's  within a
baseline in instances where major revisions have been made. Control of
software and  documentation versions is the responsibility of the  PA.

     The CMB must authorize acceptance and implementation of each new
version  of  software or documentation.   The  PA will present a
description of the  new version,  including a listing and description of
all changes incorporated, an  analysis of the impact of the changes, and
a report on testing and  auditing of the version.   Once the CMB accepts
the version,  the PA establishes an  implementation schedule  (based on
user requirements) and  reports to the CMB any problems encountered
during implementation or in attempting to use the new version after its
implementation. If major changes are made to the version, the normal
change control procedure will be followed.  If required changes are
minor or technical, the  PA will  make  them and report completion to the
CMB.

     3.3  Reviews and Audits

     The Configuration Management Board may determine at any  time that
it should conduct  informal or formal reviews or audits of configuration
items or baselines. Generally,  the review and audit responsibility of
the CMB will  be discharged at the scheduled points established  in the
accepted Configuration Management Plan.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page 7

-------
     Reviews;  The preliminary and critical reviews provide early
evaluations of AIS  configuration  items  in order to identify and
anticipate  problems  so there  is  sufficient  time to  take action
economically.  The CMB will depend on the PA to conduct the preliminary
review.  This review will evaluate the overall approach to the CI
design and  adequacy for the AIS.   It checks the involvement and impact
on other CI's.

     The critical review is performed by the PA and CMB.  Each CI is
reviewed as part of the system, subsystem or program specifications
development tasks.  The reviewable item will be a preliminary draft of
the specification itself.   For software CI's.  the product reviewed
will be an error-free compilation  or tested version of the computer
program.  The PA will present a structured walkthrough.

     Audits;  The audits are: functional requirements audit, allocated
(design) audit,  product configuration audit and, physical configuration
audit.   These audits are described in Part II of this guidance-  Prior
to each scheduled audit,  the PA will  forward  a checklist of audit
parameters and a set of brief  functional descriptions of the AIS and
its major  subsystems to the  CMB.   At  this time, the CMB  also may
request copies of the current  versions of the AIS specifications and
the requirements documentation to assist them in determining  that the
checklist provided is adequate  for the audit.

     Also,  the PA will submit a proposed audit agenda listing documents
to be reviewed, demonstrations  to be performed, and test reports to be
analyzed.   The  agenda will include  provisions for description of the
AIS at  a given baseline as  compared to  the  AIS at the  previous
baseline.   Deficiencies  as well as  improvements shall  be cited.   The
CMB may require additions to the audit procedure.  In particular, it
may  require detailed walkthroughs,  repeats  of critical tests,
validation of maintenance and recovery procedures,  and demonstration of
user operation of the AIS.

    At the  conclusion  of  the  formal  audit, the  CMB may,  at its
discretion,  retain copies of  all documentation and test reports and may
require that demonstration  software remain available  (along with any
hardware to support it) for further analysis.  The CMB may  not take
longer than 10 working days, either to accept the AIS baseline under
audit,  or to require changes  to make the baseline acceptable.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page 8

-------
     Any changes made to resolve problems found during the audit must
accepted  by the CMB  before the  baseline can be approved.    This
acceptance may  require  a repeat of  the audit, or it may consist  merely
of formal acceptance of a report from the PA that the change has been
made and tested satisfactorily,  depending on the circumstances  of the
rejection of the baseline.   Any changes  or updates made to a baseline
after it has been established must  go through the configuration change
control procedures.


3.4  Prototyping and  Fourth Generation Languages

     CMB procedures and requirements do  not change with the choice of
prototyping or  with the use  of fourth generation software languages in
the development of an AIS.  A prototype  development CM plan shall meet
all  of the requirements of this guidance and demonstrate to the CMB
that  full  configuration control  will  be maintained over the  AIS
throughout its  life cycle.
 OSWER CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE — PART III       Page 9

-------
CM  PLAN  CONDENSED OUTLINE
  CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT PLAN




  1. PURPOSE



  2. MANAGEMENT



      A. ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS



      B. REFERENCES



  3. CONFIGURATION IDENTIFICATION



      A. IDENTIFICATION



      B. BASELINES



  4. CONFIGURATION CONTROL



      A. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT BOARD



      B. CHANGE PROCEDURES



  5. CONFIGURATION STATUS ACCOUNTING



  & CONFIGURATION AUDITS

-------
                       OSWER CM PLAN CHECKLIST

    a.  Is the plan well organized,  clearly written, and appropriately
       illustrated?

    b.  Is the plan tailored to the proposed development task,  with
       sufficient  attention to special requirements?

    c.  Do CM functions  interface properly with other project functions?

    d.  Will  proposed CMS  involvement  satisfy  OSWER and OIRM
       requirements?

    e.  Does the plan include provision for adequate data management
       support of CM activities?

    f.  Do scheduled CM activities mesh with design reviews and other
       project activities and events?

    g.  Does the plan reflect a solid foundation of proven CM techniques
       and procedures?

    h.  Are the schedule and procedures for delivery, approval,  and
       update of the plan in compliance with OSWER requirements?


SECTION 1.  INTRODUCTION

    States purpose of CM plan and briefly describes its contents.


SECTION 2.  PROJECT ORGANIZATION

    Identifies the  organizational  level of the PA and  his/her
responsibilities.

    2a. Is the Project  Administrator at a suitable level in the OSWER
       office structure?

    2b. Are the PA's responsibilities clearly defined?

    2c. Does  the PA have sufficient expertise, staff,  and resources to
       perform the required configuration management tasks?

    2d. Is the chairman of the CMB at a suitable level  in the OSWER
       office structure?

    2e. Is the project adequately represented on the CMB?

    2f. Is the experience with CM and understanding of CM convincingly
        described?

    2g. Do the PA  and his staff have suitable backgrounds?

-------
SECTION 3.  CONFIGURATION IDENTIFICATION

    Identifies the  specifications for the software products under
development  and describes  how these specifications  establish and
control  assessment  of cost,  schedule,  and performance impacts.
Specifies  review and delivery schedule.   Also describes  contents and
schedules  of  other technical documentation.

    3a. Does the CM plan clearly identify the configuration baselines?

    3b. Does it identify the documents  that establish the baselines?

    3c. Are the  procedures  for preparing and  approving baseline
        documents clearly defined?

    3d. If the contract is large  enough to warrant a specification
        tree,  is one included, complete and clearly presented, and does
        it adequately indicate the  specifications in the CM process?

    3e. Is the preparation of documentation at least as cost-effective
        as methods generally employed?

    3f. Does the documentation schedule meet  project requirements?

    3g. Does the plan  include an appropriate numbering  scheme  for the
        software products and  documents produced?


SECTION 4.  CONFIGURATION CONTROL

     Defines  procedures  for  control   of product configuration
identification and  for  processing  changes  to  configuration
items.  Includes control of technical interfaces between the PA and
OSWER.

    4a. Does the CM plan include an adequate change control system for
        Class  I and II changes?

    4b. Is a method  provided for controlling the interfaces between
        elements of the software product during development and
        testing?

    4c. Does  the plan  identify methods for complying with OSWER
        requirements for controlling interfaces with external software
        and hardware items?

    4d. Is the change control process clearly described, with flow
        charts and sample forms?

-------
SECTION 5.   CONFIGURATION STATUS ACCOUNTING

     Describes  recording and reporting procedures and forms to be used
for configuration  status accounting.   Defines any automated methods to
be used in status  reporting.

    5a.  Does the CM plan identify the data  required for configuration
        status  accounting and the  methods for recording  it?

    5b.  Does it identify the status accounting reports required and
        state their frequency and  distribution?

    5c.  Is integration of subcontractor data included in the status
        accounting procedure?

    5d.  Are adequate  forms for  recording  and  reporting of status
        accounting data included?


SECTION 6.   SOFTWARE CONTROL

     Describes  techniques and  facilities for project software control
as well as procedures for safe storage of master copies.   Identifies
responsibility for withdrawal  and  changing of copies.  Describes
reproduction and destruction capability/  library services, protection
against physical loss and damage,  disaster file, and purging policy.

    6a.  Is an adequate procedure described for storage and  physical
        control of  software products and documents?

    6b.  Is an adequate procedure described  for release  of  software
        products and documents into a controlled environment?


SECTION 7.   REVIEWS AND AUDITS

     Describes plans for conducting or supporting reviews and audits
over the software development cycle.   Defines products and  documents to
be reviewed or audited, reviewing authority,  method for  handling
deviations or  waivers, change procedures  and forms, and numbering
changes.   Discusses relationship of reviews and audits to development
cycle,  with focus on  tracking,  correlation,  and completeness of
reviews.

    7a.  Does the CM plan  describe  the relationship of  design and
        configuration reviews and audits to  the configuration  process?

    7b.  Are the software products and documents required for reviews
        and audits identified?

-------
    7c.  Are the procedures for conducting reviews and audits defined?

    7d.  Does the plan provide for minutes of the reviews and audits and
        define the procedure for submittal and approval of the minutes?

    7e.  Is a method defined for using review and audit results to
        update the software products  and documents?

    7f.  Will the review and audit approach described be flexible enough
        to accommodate major action items?

    7g.  Will  the project  review  and audit personnel adequately
        represent the interests of the project personnel?


SECTION 8.  SUBCONTRACTOR CONTROL

     Defines proposed methods for control  over subcontractors,  insofar
as control impacts project CM commitments  to  OSWER.   Explains  methods
used  to determine subcontractor's CM capability.   Establishes
requirements for performance,  testing, and quality of the subcontract
software products and documentation.

    8a.  Are  proposed subcontractor relationships adequate to meet
        customer requirements?

    8b.  Is provision made  for control and integration of subcontractor
        technical data?

    8c.  Are procedures adequate  for change control of subcontractor
        products and documentation?

-------
                          GLOSSARY





                               OSWER



                       Life Cycle Management



                                and



                     Configuration Management
Configuration Management Glossary                 Page 1

-------
                                OSWER

               Life Cycle and Configuration Management

                              GLOSSARY
ADP - Automated Data Processing

Acceptance  Testing -  Formal testing to determine that  an AIS is
satisfactory for use in the operating environment.

Acquisition - The process of acquiring software and hardware for an
AIS.

Acquisition Strategy - The procedures and timing,  including phas-ed
funding and identification of budget categories,  to be followed in
acquiring an AIS.

AIS - Automated Information System

Allocated/Design Baseline - The AIS baseline established by system,
program,  and test  specifications;  usually the second baseline in an AIS
project,  coming at the  end of system design.

Allocated/Design  Audit  - the detailed examination of the documentation
items to be  developed during the definition and design phaseof the  AIS.

Annual Continued Operation - The one-year authorization by the Steering
Committee for use of  the AIS.   The authorization is granted after
review of the continued need for and of the on-going performance of the
AIS.

Audit - Examination of software and documentation products to verify
that they conform to specifications.

Automated  Information System (AIS)  -  The  aggregate  of personnel,
procedures,  equipment, software,  data,  communications, maintenance,
training, and support,  using automated data processing equipment,
through which an ongoing  information task is accomplished.

Baseline - The configuration of  an AIS as defined by the accepted and
approved requirements  documents,  specifications, user  and maintenance
manuals,  training materials,  test plans and reports,  data element
definitions,  amd  software.  See:

          Functional Baseline
          Allocated/Design Baseline
          Product Baseline
          Operational  Baseline

CMS - Configuration Management Board
 Configuration Management Glossary                  Page 2

-------
Certification Testing - Formal  testing to certify that an AIS meets all
contract provisions prior to contract sign-off.

Change - In configuration management,  any alteration, deletion, or
addition to  a configuration item.

Class  I - The  category of change which  must be approved by the
Configuration Management Board before  its implementation.  Within
OSWER,  Class I changes are those which:

         o   Increase cost or  schedule,
         o   Cause changes in  test provisions,
         o   Involve interfaces,
         o   Change system timing or storage requirements,
         o   Reduce or degrade capability,
         o   Impact privacy, security,  or validity, or
         o   Impact organizational matters.

Class II - The category of change which  does not satisfy the criteria
for Class  I but which  must be  reflected through some part of the
hierarchy of configuration items in order for the AIS to be properly
operated and maintained.

Class III - These are technical changes which involve modifications of
a configuration but which do not change the controlled characteristics
of the configuration item.

CM - Configuration Management

CM Plan - Configuration Management Plan

Concept  Development  - The AIS  LCM  phase which follows Project
Initiation  and  produces  feasibility information and economic analyses
to permit the Steering Committee to choose which answer to the mission
need will be pursued.

Configuration Audit - Detailed review by a Configuration Management
Board of a configuration item or baseline to assure that the actual
functional  and physical state of each complies  with all approved
documentation.

Configuration  Change Control - The evaluation,  coordination, and
approval by the Configuration Management Board of proposed changes to a
baseline.

Configuration Management Board (CMB)  - The board, appointed by the
Steering Committee, which oversees AIS  configuration management and
provides  the  Steering  Committee with appraisals of project
documentation.
 Configuration  Management Glossary                  Page 3

-------
Configuration  Identification - The process  of  defining and documenting
measurable characteristics of hardware,  software,  and documentation,
including all linkages,  of a configuration  item.

Configuration  Management - The rigorous methodology to assist a project
in controlling the total development of an AIS.

Configuration  Management Plan - A plan for the controlled development
of an  AIS; including procedures  and control  points  for  each CM
activity.

Configuration  Status Accounting - The recording and  monitoring of the
status of all configuration items and baselines and all changes to
them.

Contractor  -  Private contractor or intra-Government organization
performing AIS definition,  design, development or  implementation for
OSWER.

Cost-Effective - The  concept that low cost must be examined  against
total value of a  system  over the entire life of its use.

Critical  Review - Examination in  detail of the  performance  of  a
completed and tested configuration item.

DAA,  OSWER - Deputy Assistant Administrator, OSWER

Data Element  Dictionary  (DED)  - A  formal repository of definitions of
all AIS entities, in which an entity is defined as a data base class,
element,  or attribute;  an algorithm or system utility; a software
program or identifiable part of a program (module); a subsystem; a test
plan or specification;  a software  specification; a manual; a change
request or authorization;  a change summary; or any other entity or
characteristic deemed important by the system developer.

Definition and Design - The third AIS LCM phase,  in which  the AIS
constraints, parameters,  and characteristics are  fully defined and the
AIS is designed to meet  them.

Desirable AIS Features - Those features which are good and valuable but
which are neither necessary nor essential.

Document Change Request - A formal  request to incorporate  a change to  a
controlled AIS document.

EA - Economic  Analysis

Economic Analysis  -  The process, as defined in Federal  Information
Processing Standard 38  (FIPS PUB 38),  which  analyzes the  cost to
acquire and operate an AIS over its projected life and compares that
cost with the probable  cost of performing the mission element needs
function without the AIS.


 Configuration Management Glossary                 Page 4

-------
Enhancement - The addition of capabilities to an existing AIS.

Essential AIS Features - Those without which an AIS cannot function,
such as a computer of a given capacity.

Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) -
These are the official publications within the Federal  government used
for  establishing new  standards and making  changes or  updates to
existing standards for computer hardware,  software, applications,  and
data administration.

Functional Baseline  - The baseline  established  for an AIS by
functional,  data,  and  information requirements documents; usually the
first formal baseline in AIS development.

Functional  Requirements  Audit - The  formal examination of  each
configuration item to verify that the  performance specified in the
system specifications has been achieved.

Functional Requirements - The  defined  set of input  and  output
requirements which an AIS must meet to satisfy  its purposes.

IMC - Information Management Coordinator

Information Management Coordinator - The designated individual in an
OSWER organization with responsibility for the AIS activities of the
organization.

IMS - Information Management Staff

Information Management Staff - The  OSWER office responsible to the
Assistant Administrator for technical oversight of OSWER  ADP
activities.

Information Management Steering Committee -  The committee chaired by
the DAA, OSWER,  and made up of the Directors of  the OSWER program
Offices and of Information Management Staff,  which determines long-
range OSWER ADP policy and is  the LCM authority.

Interface - Any dependent connection  between separate parts of an AIS,
between an AIS and other systems, or involving data  communications.

Interoperability -  The ability to pass data  or information from one
system to another.

Item Review - A review conducted by  configuration management prior to
critical review of a configuration item  for the purpose of  providing a
higher  level of  confidence that the  final  configuration will be
acceptable.

Hardware  - AIS  processors,  terminals,  communication  devices,  and
peripheral equipment.


 Configuration Management Glossary                  Page 5

-------
LCM - Life Cycle Management

LCM Phase  - Divisions of an AIS life cycle corresponding  to  required
LCM decision points.

Life  Cycle - The  sequence of  events  and  actions beginning with
perception of a need and continuing until phase-out, through which a
system is designed,  developed, implemented, and used.

Life Cycle Management - The management decision methodology by which
organizations determine the need for systems and decide upon system
evolution, growth, and elimination.

Logistics - The  support in terms of  material, facilities,  maintenance,
personnel, and training required to enable an AIS to function.

Mandatory AIS Requirements -  Those which originate  in legislation,
court decisions,   Federal regulations,  or the  Office of  the
Administrator.

Manuals  - Those documents which support the users of an operational
AIS.   Three groups of  users are usually provided with  manuals
appropriate to their  individual functions:  system operators,
programmer/analysts  involved in software maintenance  and end  users of
the system and its outputs.

MENS - Mission Element Needs Statement

Mission  Element Needs  Statement - A  statement  of problems  to be
resolved by development of an information system.

Modifications  - Changes  to an AIS  which do  not  result  in  added
capabilities.

Module - A separately identifiable segment of software which performs a
specifiable function.

Necessary AIS Features  - Those without which  an AIS  would have to
function  in a different,  perhaps less effective manner, but which could
be compensated for at some cost in system performance.

Need - A  requirement that an ongoing information task be performed to
satisfy an OSWER mission.

Operating Environment -  The  actual OSWER  personnel, policies,
practices, procedures, facilities, and organization within which  an AIS
must function.

Operational  Baseline -  The AIS baseline established  by the updated
software  and  documentation as  the  AIS  used in  the  operational
environment.
 Configuration Management Glossary                  Page 6

-------
Operational Life - The period during which an AIS is in use.

OSWER - The EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.

Parameter - An  attribute which defines an AIS characteristic.

Pilot Development - Proving an AIS's readiness  for full  implementation
by  first operating a scaled-down version  in  an OSWER  operating
environment.

Physical Configuration Audit - An  audit  conducted by the OSWER CMS to
determine that the fully developed AIS  conforms in all respects with
its specifications,  tests, and requirements documentation.

Preliminary Review - A  courtesy review provided by  configuration
management personnel  to give  developers an objective review of
development efforts, particularly as they affect configuration items
and baselines.

Problem  Resolution Summary  -  A brief document informing  the
Configuration  Management Board of  actions taken and their results in
response to a problem with an AIS.

Privacy -  OSWER provisions to prevent unauthorized access to or any
disclosure of personal  information as  defined  by the Privacy Act,  EPA
policy,  or ethical considerations.   The provisions  apply  to  EPA
personnel, other Government  personnel,  contractors, and the public.

Private System - (Also called  "Fugitive  system") an AIS developed
outside Steering Committee cognizance.

Product Baseline - The  AIS baseline established by all final project
documentation and software.

Product Configuration Audit  -  A  technical audit of the results of
baseline testing and test data.

Program Specification - A subset of the system or subsystem specifica-
tion for an individual computer program.

Project Administrator - The  official who manages the accomplishment of
the project under the authority of the  IMC.

Project Initiation - The first LCM AIS phase,  in which an OSWER Office
formally identifies a need  for an information  system  and the Steering
Committee authorizes project continuation.  The principal products of
this phase are  a Mission Element Needs  statement and a  preliminary plan
for managing the project.

Project Management Plan - The PA's  or  the  contractor's plan  for
accomplishing the project.
 Configuration Management Glossary                  Page 7

-------
Project Manager - Within OSWER,  the Project Administrator.

Prototype Development - A method of AIS development in which design,
specifications, software,  and documentation are developed concurrently.
OSWER  considers prototype development incomplete if  any of  the
concurrent elements are missing.

Quality Assurance - The  part of AIS management that ensures that
appropriate and accepted standards  are met in development of an AIS.

Requirement - Often synonymous with "need"; an internally or externally
generated set  of actions which must  be performed to meet an  OSWER
mission.

Risk Analysis  - Analysis of the susceptibility of an AIS to improper
use or unauthorized access.

SDP - System Decision Paper

SDP I - SDP issued at the conclusion of the AIS Concept Development
phase.

SDP II - SDP issued at the conclusion of the AIS Definition and Design
phase.

SDP III - SDP issued at the conclusion of the AIS Development phase.

SDP  IV - SDP  issued  annually  to document the Steering Committee
decision to continue use of the AIS or  phase  it out.

Security  -  OSWER provisions to prevent unauthorized access to or any
inadvertant or improper disclosure of data or information classifiable
as "sensitive"  or "confidential"  under EPA policy.

Software Change Request -  A formal  request to incorporate a change to
controlled AIS software.

Software  Control - the  establishment  and  maintenance of a secure
location for all computer source  code associated with the AIS.

Software  Trouble Report  - A document generated by a user, operator,
or maintainer requesting that  the Configuration Management  Board
require investigation and  resolution of a problem with the  software of
an AIS.

Steering Committee - The Information Systems Steering Committee.

Stress  - The provisions  in software testing that demonstrate the
ability of the AIS to  function  in conditions of highest expected
volume,  system degradation,  partial outage,  or other possible extreme
conditions.
 Configuration Management Glossary                 Page  8

-------
Subsidiary AIS - An AIS adjunct to or contained within a hierarchically
superior AIS.

System Change Request - A request for a change to any AIS,  presented by
the Project  Administrator to the Configuration Management Board.

System Decision Paper - The document which contains background
information to support a Steering Committee AIS phase decision; this
document is initially prepared by the PA and serves  as authority to
proceed after Steering Committee approval.

System Development -  The AIS LCM phase in which the AIS software and
documentation  are produced and  tested  in  full  operational
configuration.

System Specification - The document detailing the precise operating
parameters and constraints of an AIS.

Task Order  - A separately identified  work  effort  under a master
contract or  agreement.

Test Plan - The document containing the procedures, descriptions of
test software, and acceptable performance criteria  to prove that  an AIS
or its subsystems fully satisfy their specifications.

Test Specification - The specification that  implements  a test plan.

UAC - Users  Advisory Committee

Update - To  revise  data, software,  or  documentation to reflect current
status.

User/Sponsor - The  OSWER Office which is  the principal user of  an AIS
and which determines the AIS functional and operational requirements.

Users Advisory Committee - The committee  which represents Regional
interests in OSWER ADP planning.

Walkthrough - A demonstration, using documentation,  procedures, and
software appropriate  for  a particular AIS  stage  of development,
conducted with representative User personnel as  participants,  to
determine that  the  AIS  will function  as  required and specified  in the
OSWER environment.
 Configuration Management Glossary                  Page 9

-------
APPENDIX

-------
        \          UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
\ jyj^t*/                        WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460


                                     FEB 25 1986
                                                                        OFFICE OF
                                                             SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
      MEMORANDUM

      SUBJECT:    Initiation of Configuration Management Boards for Automated
                  Information Systems in OSWER
                  Deputy Assistant Administrator

      TO:         OSWER Office Directors

      ATTN:       Information Management Coordinators:  See Below

           This memorandum establishes configuration management (CM) boards for
      RCRA, CERCLA,  and cross-cutting automated information systems (AIS's) in OSWER.
      The boards will be responsible to the OSWER Information Management Steering
      Committee for  proper configuration management of the AIS's.

      NEED FOR THE CM BOARDS

           OSWER is  making major investments in AIS and equipment.  Our programs are
      expected to grow by large orders of magnitude.  We cannot achieve the results
      we seek without cost-effective automated support.  Our use of CM is consistent
      with the Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) as
      specified in OMB Circular A-130.  It is a standard tool used throughout the
      Federal Government, civilian, and military services, for guiding the develop-
      ment and maintenance of large and small AIS's.

      SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

           CM is a rigorous process with the objective of ensuring that all components
      of an AIS are  fully defined in terms that can be examined, measured, and veri-
      fied.  CM provides « formal management structure, process, and procedure for
      controlling changes to an AIS.  CM requires that any changes to the AIS be
      well defined along with identification of the impacts of these changes and how
      they will be handled.

           OSWER currently is working with CM interim guidance which is being revised
      based on comments from your respective offices.  The scope of activities for
      CM boards includes implementation of CM guidance for major OSWER systems,
      e.g., HWDMS, RCRIS, CERCLIS, ORMS, and OASIS; as well as other mission critical
      systems in each Program Office.  The CM boards will not review systems on
      personal computers except where these systems are critical to the fulfillment
      of the mission of the office or OSWER.

-------
                                     _  o  —
     Initially, there will be three CM boards in OSWER.  One will be  for RCRA
and RCRA enforcement AIS's; one for CERCLA and CERCLA enforcement AIS's; and
one for cross-cutting administrative AIS's.  Cross-cutting administrative
systems are those that serve all OSWER office functions regardless of legisla-
tive or regulatory mandate under RCRA and CERCLA.  These systems support such
functions as finance, budget, contracts, property, correspondence control, and
general office automation.

     The Project Administrator (FA) for each AIS will establish and maintain
technical baselines for new or existing AIS's.  Baselines are collections of
information describing the technical characteristics of each computer system,
e.g., design, performance, test results, user results, etc.  Each CM board
will review the PA's baselines and authorize proposed changes to them as the
system evolves over time.

CHARTERS

     Each CM board will have a charter that describes the authority, scope,
membership, decision-making process, and recordkeepiog procedures necessary to
support its operations.  A sample charter is attached to this memorandum.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

     The duties and responsibilities of the CM boards are described in detail
in the interim OSWER guidance on Configuration Management, Section 2.2, page
11-11 to 11-23.  Additional copies of the CM guidance are available from Dan
Yurman, IMS/OPBPM, 475-6754.

ORGANIZATION MEETINGS

     Organizational meetings will be held at the call of the Chairperson for
each CM board.

Attn: Jeff Byron - OERR
      Steve Levy - OSW
      Kate Bouve - OWPE
      Art Pergm - OUST
      Burnell Vincent - GWTF

cc:   Ed Hanlcy, OIRM
      Mike McNeill, OPBPM
      OSWER Division Directors

-------
                         CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT  BOARD

                                 SAMPLE CHARTER

AUTHORITY

     The Configuration Management Board (CMB) is established under the authority
and mandate of the OSWER Information Management Steering Committee (SC).

GOAL

     The goal of OSWER configuration management policies and procedures is to
provide technical assurance that each OSWER automated information system (AIS)
supports the programmatic functions for which it is intended throughout its
life cycle, from initiation through termination.

SCOPE

     All OSWER mission critical, major, sensitive, or cross-cutting AIS's are
under the jurisdiction of the CMB*

MEMBERSHIP

     "Standing members" of each Board will be as follows:

     RCRA CMB — RCRA Information Management Specialist, Information Management
Staff (IMS); Information Management Coordinator, Office of Solid Waste (OSW);
Information Management Coordinator, Office of Waste Programs Enforcement (OWPE);
and, Chief, System Development Branch, Office of Information Resources Manage-
ment (OIRM).

     CERCLA CMB — CERCLA Information Management Specialist, IMS; Information
Management Coordinator, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR);
Information Management Coordinator, OWPE;  and, Chief, System Development Branch,
OIRM.

     Admininstrative (Cross-cutting) CMB — Information Management Specialist
for Administrative (Cross-cutting) Systems, IMS; Information Management
Coordinators from each OSWER Program Office (OSW, OWPE, OERR, Office of Under-
ground Storage Tank*, and the Hazardous Waste Ground Water Task Force); PRIME
System Administrator* from each OSWER Program Office; and a representative from
the appropriate office in OIRM.

     Each Board is chaired by the IMS representative.

     Each CMB may appoint ad hoc membership, representing specific AIS
constituencies, by consensus.

MEETINGS

     Meetings will be called as necessary by the Chairperson or upon the
request of any member.

-------
                                     - 2 -
RESPONSIBILITIES

     The CMB is responsible for reviewing and certifying to the IM Steering
Committee that:

        o  the specifications for the system "environment" e.g., hardware,
           software, telecommunications, and documentation, are defined;

        o  changes to the system environment are described and have an accept-
           able impact on the system's operation; and,

        o  the system performs properly, in a manner consistent with the
           documented specifications.

CERTIFICATIONS

     A majority of the Board members must be present for any certification.
All CMB certifications are given with majority assent of both standing and AIS-
specific ad hoc members.  Minority dissent may be presented to the SC in writing
under the signature of dissenting members.

-------

-------