Software configuration management for the 21st century

The increasing complexity of both software systems and the environments in which they are produced is pressuring projects to improve the development process using innovative methods. The role of software configuration management (SCM) systems, policies, and procedures that help control and manage software development environments is being stretched beyond the conceptual boundaries it has had for the last decade. One of the key enablers of producing higher quality software is a better software development process. The SCM system must instantiate a quality process, allow tracking and monitoring of process metrics, and provide mechanisms for tailoring and continual improvement of the software development process. More than a dozen SCM systems are now available, each one having a distinct architecture and set of core functionalities. Currently, no single system provides all the key SCM functions in the best form. Thus, a project must assess its real needs and choose the right SCM system to meet its software development challenges. This paper focuses on the characteristics of SCM systems, the SCM challenges for Lucent Technologies, the principal SCM systems being used within the company, and the issues of choosing and successfully implementing the best SCM systems.