Configurationcontrolled

Configurationcontrolled refers to artifacts, configurations, and processes that are governed by formal configuration management practices. An item is considered configuration-controlled when its specification, version, and status are tracked and managed through a defined change control process. This ensures consistency, reproducibility, and traceability across environments and over time.

Configuration-controlled items are identified as configuration items (CIs) and stored in a configuration management system or configuration management database. Each item receives unique identifiers, baselines, and version histories. Changes are proposed through change requests, evaluated by a configuration control board or designated authority, and approved before implementation. After deployment, the item’s new baseline is established and verifiable.

The scope includes software code, hardware configurations, network settings, deployment templates, and infrastructure as code. It also covers related documentation, build configurations, and environments. In regulated or critical environments, configuration control supports audits, compliance, disaster recovery, and controlled release management.

Benefits of configuration-controlled practice include improved reproducibility, easier root-cause analysis, reduced risk of unauthorized changes, and better collaboration across teams. Challenges include maintaining accurate scope, handling interdependencies, avoiding excessive bureaucracy, and ensuring synchronization across multiple environments and tooling ecosystems.

Common tools and concepts associated with configuration-controlled items are version control systems, CMDBs, and infrastructure as code platforms, as well as change control boards, baselines, and traceability records. Adopting clear policies for item identification, change assessment, and verification is central to effective configuration control.