Skip to content
We're taking a short break over the festive period and hope you will be too. Our office will be closed from 3pm on 24 December and re-opening on 2 January 2025.
Added to your CPD log

View or edit this activity in your CPD log.

Go to My CPD
Only APM members have access to CPD features Become a member Already added to CPD log

View or edit this activity in your CPD log.

Go to My CPD
Added to your Saved Content Go to my Saved Content

What is configuration management?

Definition

Configuration management encompasses the technical and administrative activities concerned with the creation, maintenance, controlled change and quality control of the scope of work.

A configuration is the functional and physical characteristics of a product as defined in its specification and achieved through the deployment of project management plans.

Definition from APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition

Wind turbines silhouetted against a vibrant sunset

Asset control

Configuration management can be regarded as an asset control and it is essential whether one or more versions of a deliverable is created.

To implement configuration management, the project professional resources the following five activities:

  • Configuration management planning: A configuration management plan describes any project specific procedures and the extent of their application.
  • Configuration identification: Involves breaking down the project and creating a referencing system for each item.
  • Configuration control: Ensures that all changes to configuration items are controlled. Configuration control of specifications and test plans is vital for quality control to be effective.
  • Configuration status accounting: Provides records and reports that relate to a deliverable and its configuration information.
  • Configuration verification audit: Determines whether a deliverable conforms to its requirements and configuration information

Business information modelling (BIM)

Business information modelling (BIM) is related to configuration management. Business information modelling involves the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of buildings and places.

Building information models are digital files (often but not always in proprietary formats and containing proprietary data) which can be extracted, exchanged or networked to support decision-making regarding a building or other built asset.

The key output of a well-controlled configuration management process is:

  • confidence that the current version of any configuration item is known; and
  • documented traceability between versions of each configuration item.

Related reading

Managing change in the delivery of complex projects: Configuration management, asset information and ‘big data’

This article provides insight into how change is managed in three organisations delivering complex projects – Airbus, CERN and Crossrail – and how those methods are evolving in the era of ‘big data’... read more.

A long row of servers neatly arranged in a modern data center

APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition

The APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition is a foundational resource providing the concepts, functions and activities that make up professional project management. It reflects the developing profession, recognising project-based working at all levels, and across all sectors for influencers, decision makers, project professionals and their teams. 

Buy from the bookshop
A book titled APM Body of Knowledge placed on an office desk

You may also be interested in

Laptop screen showing the APM Learning dashboard
APM Learning

The APM Learning portal is an online resource which provides members with access to digital guides, modules and other digital learning resources as part of the membership benefit.

Man wearing headphones using a tablet whilst sat on the sofa
What is ...?

Browse our popular project management 'What is ...?' topics for definitions, quick insights, view related case studies, research, blogs and glossary.

A magazine spread featuring a vibrant photo of diverse individuals engaging on a lively city street.
Project Journal

Project – APM's official journal – is circulated quarterly for members only, and online for regularly updated news, blogs, opinions and insights for those in the project community.

A woman engaged with her laptop, accessing a website while seated at a desk in a well-lit environment.
APM Community

The APM Community is our online community platform that connects our members faster and easier than ever before.

Our APM Community portal is currently offline. Please check back soon.