Annex 7B: Specific responsibilities of the Configuration Management team

Configuration Manager responsibilities

A Configuration Manager:

1. Works to the overall objectives agreed with the IT Services Manager; implements the organisation's Configuration Management policy and standards.
2. Evaluates existing Configuration Management systems and the design, implementation and management of new/improved systems for efficiency and effectiveness - including estimating and planning the work and resources involved, and monitoring and reporting on progress against plan.
3. Proposes and agrees scope of the Configuration Management processes, function, the items that are to be controlled, and the information that is to be recorded. Develops Configuration Management standards, Configuration Management plans and procedures.
4. Mounts an awareness campaign to win support for new Configuration Management procedures. Ensures that changes to the Configuration Management methods and processes are properly approved and communicated to staff before being implemented. Plans, publicises and oversees implementation of new Configuration Management systems.
5. Arranges recruitment and training of staff. Trains Configuration Management specialists and other staff in Configuration Management principles, processes and procedures.
6. Evaluates proprietary Configuration Management tools and recommends those that best meet the organisation's budget, resource, timescale and technical requirements. Directly or indirectly customises proprietary tools to produce effective Configuration Management environments in terms of databases and software libraries, workflows and report generation.
7. Creates and manages the Configuration Management plan, principles and processes and their implementation. This includes CI registration procedures; access controls and privileges. Ensures that the correct roles and responsibilities are defined in the Configuration Management plans and procedures.
8. Proposes and agrees CIs to be uniquely identified with naming conventions. Ensures that staff comply with identification standards for object types, environments, processes, life-cycles, documentation, versions, formats, baselines, Releases and templates.
9. Proposes and/or agrees interfaces with Change Management, Problem Management, Network Management, Release Management, computer operations, logistics, finance and administration functions.
10. Plans and executes population of the CMDB. Manages and maintains CMDB, central libraries, tools, common codes and data. Ensures regular housekeeping of the CMDB.
11. Provides reports, including management reports (indicating suggested action to deal with current or foreseen shortcomings), impact analysis reports and configuration status reports.
12. Uses or provides the CMDB to facilitate impact assessment for RFCs and to ensure that implemented Changes are as authorised. Creates Change records, configuration baselines, and package Release records in order to specify the effect on CIs of an authorised Change. Ensures any changes to Change authorisation records are themselves subject to Change Management procedures. Ensures that the CMDB is updated when a Change is implemented.
13. Provides the CMDB to help identify other CIs affected by a fault that is affecting a CI.
14. Performs configuration audits to check that the physical IT inventory is consistent with the CMDB and initiates any necessary corrective action.
15. Initiates actions needed to secure funds to enhance the infrastructure and staffing levels in order to cope with growth and change.
16. Assists auditors to audit the activities of the Configuration Management team for compliance with laid-down procedures. Ensures corrective action is carried out.

Configuration Librarian responsibilities

The Configuration Librarian is the custodian and guardian of all master copies of software and documentation CIs registered with Configuration Management. The major tasks of this role are:

• to control the receipt, identification, storage, and withdrawal of all supported CIs
• to provide information on the status of CIs
• to number, record, store and distribute Configuration Management issues.

Specific responsibilities are to:

• assist Configuration Management to prepare the Configuration Management Plan
• create an identification scheme for Configuration Management libraries and the DSL
• create libraries or other storage areas to hold CIs
• assist in the identification of products and CIs
• maintain current status information on CIs
• accept and record the receipt of new or revised configurations into the appropriate library
• archive superseded CI copies
• hold the master copies
• issue copies of products for review, change, correction or information when authorised to do so
• maintain a record of all copies issued
• notify holders of any changes to their copies
• collect and retain information that will assist in the assessment of what CIs are impacted by a Change to a product
• produce configuration status accounting reports
• assist in conducting configuration audits
• liaise with other Configuration Libraries where CIs are common to other systems.