> Configuration Management (CM)

Mar 31

A Comprehensive Analysis of SAE EIA-649C-2019 Configuration Management Standard—Principles, Examples & Applications

By Walter Rodriguez, PhD, PE, CM (CLO, Coursewell)

Introduction: Overview of Configuration Management and the Significance of SAE EIA-649C-2019

Configuration Management (CM) is a critical discipline that applies technical and administrative oversight to establish and maintain the consistency of a product's attributes with its requirements, design, construction, manufacturing, service, defense, and operational information throughout its lifecycle.

This involves a structured approach to identifying and documenting functional and physical characteristics of configuration items (CIs), controlling changes to these characteristics, and recording and reporting these changes' processing and implementation status.

The primary goal of CM is to ensure the integrity and consistency of a product's design and operational information over time, thereby preventing errors, reducing costs, and enhancing overall product quality and reliability.

Standardization plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effectiveness and interoperability of CM practices across different organizations and industries.

Industry standards, such as SAE EIA-649C-2019, aim to address overall CM requirements, principles, and best practices without dictating specific terminology or implementation approaches.

This allows for broad applicability while providing a common framework for understanding and executing CM activities.

Standardization ensures consistency across organizations by recommending a structured approach with specific procedures and rules to help manage documents correctly and maintain the traceability of product information.

Establishing a common language and framework through standardization is crucial for fostering interoperability, improving stakeholder communication, and setting a benchmark for evaluating and enhancing CM processes.

SAE EIA-649C-2019, the most recent iteration of the Configuration Management Standard, was revised on February 7, 2019, to enhance its quality and adoptability across various enterprises, including commercial and governmental organizations.

The revision focused on clarifying the underlying principles of CM, refining the content to ensure its comprehensiveness and relevance to contemporary practices, and removing subjective opinions to broaden its applicability.

Notably, on September 10, 2019, the Department of Defense (DoD) adopted SAE EIA-649C-2019 for use with EIA-649-1 for DoD programs, signifying its importance in defense-related projects and superseding the previous EIA-649B standard.

This revision and adoption underscore the standard's continued relevance and significance in both the industry and government sectors. They reflect an ongoing effort to refine and adapt CM practices to meet evolving needs.

This tutorial and report aim to analyze the SAE EIA-649C-2019 Configuration Management Standard comprehensively.

It will delve into the core principles and requirements of the standard, explore the benefits and drawbacks of its adoption across various industries, examine practical applications and real-world examples, provide a step-by-step guide to its utilization, identify supporting configuration management software applications, explore the historical context and evolution of CM standards leading up to EIA-649C-2019, and analyze its relationship with other relevant industry standards and frameworks.

Understanding the Core Principles and Requirements of SAE EIA-649C-2019

The SAE EIA-649C-2019 standard is fundamentally structured around five core functions of configuration management, which provide a comprehensive framework for managing a product's configuration lifecycle.

These functions are CM Planning, Configuration Identification, Configuration Change Management, Configuration Status Accounting, and Configuration Verification and audit.

Each function addresses a critical aspect of CM, ensuring that all necessary elements are considered for effective configuration control throughout the product's lifecycle, from its initial conception to its eventual disposal.

Underlying these five CM functions are specific principles guiding their implementation.

These principles, often highlighted within the standard document, encapsulate best practices and provide a philosophical foundation for executing CM activities effectively.

For instance, within Configuration Change Management (CCM), several guiding principles exist, such as the requirement that changes to an approved configuration are accomplished using a systematic and measurable process (CCM-1), and that justifying the need for a change provides the rationale for committing the resources required to document, process, and implement it (CCM-2).

Furthermore, a unique change identifier should be assigned to enable tracking of the change request and its implementation status (CCM-3).

Before approval, a requested change should be evaluated for all potential impacts and risks (CCM-6).

Similarly, CM Planning and Management (CMP) is guided by principles such as identifying the context and environment, documenting the outcomes of CM planning, applying adequate CM resources, establishing performance and status metrics, implementing and maintaining procedures, providing CM training, assessing compliance and effectiveness, managing contractor/supplier configuration, and defining product configuration information processes.

The emphasis on these underlying principles allows organizations to adapt the standard to their specific operational context while adhering to fundamental best practices in configuration management.

The SAE EIA-649C-2019 standard is designed to be scalable and applicable across various product lifecycles and organizational scales.

The standard's principles apply equally to internally focused enterprise information, processes, and supporting systems and to the working relationships backed by the enterprise, such as those with suppliers and acquirers.

While all five CM functions are intended to be applied during every phase of a product's lifecycle, the degree to which each principle is emphasized may vary depending on the specific phase and the nature of the product.

This broad applicability and inherent scalability make the standard relevant to a diverse range of industries and for products at different stages of development and maturity.

A cornerstone of effectively utilizing the SAE EIA-649C-2019 standard is the emphasis on planning and documentation.

The standard provides direction for developing comprehensive enterprise or functional CM plans focusing on identifying, defining, authorizing, and managing configuration management efforts.

These plans should delineate the participants involved in CM activities, their specific responsibilities, their level of authority, and how accountability is administered to serve the enterprise's objectives or the particular activity.

A well-defined and meticulously documented CM plan serves as the central guiding document for an organization's CM program, ensuring that all aspects of configuration management are thoughtfully considered, clearly articulated, and consistently applied throughout the organization.

Benefits of Adopting and Implementing SAE EIA-649C-2019 Across Industries

Adopting and implementing the SAE EIA-649C-2019 Configuration Management Standard offers numerous benefits for organizations across various industries, ultimately contributing to improved product outcomes and operational efficiency.

One significant advantage is the improved product quality and reliability that results from the consistent application of CM principles.

Organizations can significantly reduce errors and enhance the quality and stability of their products by ensuring the consistency of a product's performance, functional, and physical attributes with its requirements, design, and operational information.

This rigorous management of product configurations minimizes discrepancies and ensures adherence to specifications, leading to more reliable and higher-quality products, which is crucial in safety-critical industries.

Implementing EIA-649C also reduces costs and increases efficiency throughout the product lifecycle.

Effective CM practices maximize return on investment and lower overall product life cycle costs by preventing rework, minimizing errors, streamlining processes, and optimizing resource utilization. The standard's structured approach helps organizations avoid costly mistakes and delays, ultimately contributing to enhanced profitability and a more competitive edge.

The standard provides a robust framework for enhanced change management.

Change control is a fundamental principle of EIA-649C. It ensures that modifications to product configurations are managed in an organized and effective manner.

This involves accurately documenting, thoroughly testing, and obtaining necessary approvals for all changes before implementation. This reduces the risk of introducing errors or inconsistencies that could negatively impact system performance.

The systematic approach to change management ensures that product integrity is maintained even as changes occur.

Improved traceability and accountability are further benefits of implementing EIA-649C.

The standard emphasizes strengthening documentation and increasing document traceability, allowing organizations to track which components were used and modified at each stage of a project.

This comprehensive record-keeping of all changes, decisions, and versions throughout a project's lifecycle enhances accountability, aids in problem-solving, and facilitates efficient root cause analysis in case of incidents or failures.

Tracing the history and status of product configurations is also essential for regulatory compliance and auditing purposes.

EIA-649C fosters better communication and collaboration among teams and stakeholders in the product lifecycle.

The standard strengthens communication by establishing a single authoritative source of product information and ensuring that all teams can access consistent and up-to-date data. It promotes collaboration across different project phases and organizational boundaries.

This improved information flow and shared understanding can lead to more efficient decision-making and fewer misunderstandings, ultimately contributing to smoother project execution.

Finally, SAE EIA-649C-2019 demonstrates strong support for other management systems.

The principles defined within EIA-649 are shared by and align with numerous other widely recognized standards and frameworks, including government standards, ITIL CM requirements, ISO 10007 CM guidance, and AS9100.

This alignment allows organizations already adhering to these other systems to seamlessly integrate CM practices based on EIA-649C, leading to a more cohesive and effective overall management approach.

Drawbacks and Challenges in Adopting and Implementing SAE EIA-649C-2019

While adopting SAE EIA-649C-2019 offers numerous advantages, organizations may encounter certain drawbacks and challenges during its implementation.

One potential issue is the potential for overkill and complexity.

The standard's comprehensive nature, with its detailed functions and principles, can sometimes lead to overly complex processes and documentation if not tailored appropriately to an organization's specific needs and the complexity of its products.

The sheer number of terms and concepts associated with configuration management can also be daunting for organizations new to the discipline.

Implementation costs and resource requirements can also pose a significant challenge.

Adopting and maintaining a CM system based on EIA-649C necessitates an investment in training personnel, acquiring or upgrading necessary software tools, and dedicating resources to ongoing CM activities.

These costs can be a substantial barrier to entry for smaller organizations or those with limited financial or human resources.

Resistance to change and organizational culture can also impede the successful implementation of EIA-649C. The standard often requires significant shifts in established workflows and managerial practices, which can be met with reluctance or opposition from employees accustomed to different working methods.

Overcoming this resistance requires effective change management strategies, clear communication of CM's benefits, and strong support from organizational leadership.

Another aspect is that the standard is primarily a guidance document, not a prescriptive compliance mandate.

While this flexibility allows organizations to tailor the standard to their specific contexts, it also means that it does not provide explicit, step-by-step instructions or mandatory requirements.

Organizations seeking concrete, actionable requirements may find interpreting and adapting the standard challenging.

The inherent flexibility of EIA-649C can also lead to potential for inconsistent application.

Without strict, prescriptive requirements, different organizations, or even different projects within the same organization, might interpret and apply the standard's principles in varying ways, potentially hindering interoperability and the ability to compare CM practices across different entities.

Ensuring a consistent understanding and applying the standard requires clear internal guidelines and comprehensive training programs.

Finally, difficulty in integrating with existing systems can be a significant hurdle.

Implementing EIA-649C often involves integrating new CM processes and software tools with an organization's IT infrastructure, such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and other enterprise systems.

Ensuring seamless data exchange and process integration between these disparate systems can be technically complex and require careful planning and execution.

Practical Applications and Real-World Examples of SAE EIA-649C-2019

The principles and practices outlined in SAE EIA-649C-2019 have been widely applied across various industries, demonstrating their versatility and effectiveness in managing product configurations.

In the aerospace and defense industries, where system complexity and criticality are paramount, EIA-649C ensures the safety, reliability, and performance of products ranging from aircraft and spacecraft to defense systems.

The standard's emphasis on meticulous documentation, rigorous change control, and comprehensive verification processes aligns perfectly with the stringent regulatory requirements and the long lifecycles of products in these sectors. The DoD's adoption of EIA-649C further underscores its significance in this domain.

The automotive industry also benefits significantly from the application of EIA-649C.

With modern vehicles comprising thousands of interconnected components and increasingly complex software and electronic systems, maintaining accurate configurations throughout the design, manufacturing, and maintenance phases is crucial.

By implementing the standard, automotive manufacturers can reduce production error rates, lower costs, and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction through improved product quality and reliability.

The information technology (IT) sector has widely adopted configuration management principles, often drawing from standards like EIA-649C, to manage the complexity of IT infrastructure, software deployments, and system configurations.

This includes managing network devices, ensuring systems comply with security policies, and tracking changes to prevent downtime and maintain security. Examples include using tools like Ansible and Puppet to automate the configuration of servers and applications.

In the energy sector, where projects often involve large-scale infrastructure and complex equipment, EIA-649C provides a valuable framework for managing project timelines, resources, and the configuration of critical assets.

This helps ensure the efficient completion of projects, optimizes resource utilization, and contributes to the safe and reliable operation of power generation and distribution systems.

Railway infrastructure projects represent another area where EIA-649C is increasingly being adopted.

Projects like the Cross River Rail in Brisbane have mandated using EIA-649-C to ensure safety, reliability, compliance with regulatory standards, and effective change management throughout the project lifecycle. Accurate configuration data is essential for risk assessment, hazard identification, and the safe operation of railway systems.

Beyond these major sectors, the principles of EIA-649C have found application in numerous other industries.

A compelling example is in medical device manufacturing, as illustrated by a case study of a medical PPE manufacturer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By applying CM principles derived from EIA-649, the company effectively managed rapid design changes, supply chain disruptions, and production challenges, ensuring the continued quality and availability of essential medical supplies.

This demonstrates the broad adaptability and value of the standard's core concepts across diverse organizational contexts and product types.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Utilizing the SAE EIA-649C-2019 Standard

Utilizing the SAE EIA-649C-2019 standard effectively involves a systematic approach that encompasses understanding the standard, planning its implementation, executing its core functions, and continuously improving the CM program.

The first crucial step is to understand the SAE EIA-649C-2019 document thoroughly.

This includes familiarizing oneself with its structure, key definitions, and the five core functions of configuration management: CM Planning, Configuration Identification, Configuration Change Management, Configuration Status Accounting, and Configuration Verification & Audit.

A comprehensive understanding of these elements provides the foundational knowledge necessary for successfully implementing and tailoring the standard to an organization's specific needs.

Building upon this understanding, the next step involves developing a comprehensive Configuration Management Plan (CM Plan).

This plan should outline how the organization intends to apply the principles and functions of EIA-649C to its specific products, projects, or the entire enterprise.

Key aspects of the CM Plan include defining roles and responsibilities, establishing transparent processes and procedures, and selecting appropriate tools to support CM activities.

The plan is the central guiding document, ensuring a structured and consistent approach to configuration management throughout the organization.

The core of utilizing EIA-649C lies in the implementation of the five core CM functions:

Configuration Identification: This involves establishing the basis from which the configuration of products is defined and verified.
This includes assigning unique identifiers to each configuration item (CI), documenting their functional and physical characteristics, establishing baselines at various product lifecycle stages, and creating a Bill of Materials (BOM) to represent the product structure. Maintaining traceability of CIs throughout the lifecycle is also a critical aspect of this function.
Configuration Change Management: This function controls changes to the established baselines using a systematic and measurable process.
This includes identifying and documenting change requests, classifying the type and impact of the proposed change, evaluating the change from technical, cost, and schedule perspectives, coordinating with relevant stakeholders, obtaining necessary approvals (often through a Configuration Control Board or CCB), and tracking the implementation and verification of the approved change.
Configuration Status Accounting involves establishing and maintaining an accurate and timely information base concerning a product and its product configuration throughout the product lifecycle.
This includes recording and reporting the description of CIs, all authorized departures from the baseline, and the status of change implementation.
Practical (Effective) status accounting provides an audit trail of configuration changes and enables quick determination of the current configuration.
Configuration Verification and Audit: This function independently reviews hardware and software to assess compliance with established performance requirements, standards, and the defined baselines. Configuration verification confirms that the system meets its specified requirements. In contrast, configuration audits verify that the system and its documentation comply with the functional and physical performance characteristics before acceptance into a baseline. Regular audits also assess the effectiveness of the overall CM program.
CM Planning and Management: This overarching function involves establishing and maintaining the CM program.
It includes identifying the context and environment in which CM will be applied, documenting the outcomes of CM planning, allocating adequate resources and assigning responsibilities, establishing performance and status metrics, implementing and maintaining CM procedures, providing necessary training, assessing the compliance and effectiveness of the CM program, managing configuration within the supply chain, and defining processes for product configuration information.

A critical aspect of effectively utilizing EIA-649C is tailoring the standard to the specific needs and context of the organization and its products.

Recognizing that EIA-649C provides a framework rather than a rigid set of rules, organizations should adapt its principles and functions to align with their unique operational environment, product complexity, intended use, and value proposition.

Not all standard aspects may be equally relevant or applicable in every situation, and tailoring allows for a more focused and efficient implementation.

It is paramount that all personnel involved in the product lifecycle understand the CM processes.

Therefore, providing adequate training and ensuring awareness of the tailored implementation of EIA-649C is essential.

Training should be tailored to individuals' specific roles and responsibilities and cover the organization's principles, procedures, and tools used for configuration management.

Ongoing training and communication are essential to reinforce CM practices and adapt to changes in processes or tools.

Finally, a commitment to continuous improvement and assessment is vital for the long-term success of a CM program based on EIA-649C.

Organizations should establish mechanisms for regularly monitoring the effectiveness of their CM processes, identifying areas for potential improvement, and implementing necessary changes to ensure the program remains relevant, efficient, and continues to add value throughout the product lifecycle.

Periodic assessments and audits play a crucial role in demonstrating compliance with the standard and identifying opportunities for enhancement.

Configuration Management Software Applications Supporting SAE EIA-649C-2019

Various configuration management software applications can significantly enhance the implementation of SAE EIA-649C-2019.

These tools help organizations manage the complexities of product configurations, control changes, track status, and ensure traceability in alignment with the standard's principles.

A broad spectrum of software solutions can support EIA-649C, ranging from specialized CM software to enterprise-level systems like Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), as well as IT automation tools and CM databases (CMDBs).

The most suitable software type will depend on the organization's industry, the nature of its products, and its existing IT infrastructure.

Key features and capabilities of effective CM software include the ability to centrally manage and control configuration items (CIs), track and manage changes throughout their lifecycle, maintain a comprehensive history of configurations and changes, automate workflows for change requests and approvals, provide robust traceability between requirements, design, and the physical product, and generate reports on the status of configurations.

Many tools also offer features like automated asset discovery, impact analysis for proposed changes, and detection of configuration drift.

While EIA-649C does not endorse specific software vendors, several types of applications are commonly used to support its implementation.

Product Data Management (PDM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are often central to managing engineering data, including product structures, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and technical documentation, which are fundamental to configuration identification and change management.

Examples of PLM systems include solutions from vendors like Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, and PTC.

For organizations with significant IT infrastructure, IT automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, and Chef can be invaluable for managing the configuration of servers, networks, and applications, ensuring consistency and compliance with policies. These tools often provide features for infrastructure as code, version control, and automated deployment of configurations.

Configuration Management Databases (CMDBs), often part of IT Service Management (ITSM) suites like REALTECH SmartCMDB and Business Service Manager, store and manage information about IT assets and their relationships. They comprehensively view the IT environment and support change and incident management processes.

Specialized CM software, such as the MagicDraw plugin for Configuration Management (EIA649C) and QVISE ILS CAMS, may offer features specifically designed to align with the principles and functions of the EIA-649 standard.

Additionally, tools like Enterprise Architect and LemonTree are used in model-based systems engineering and offer capabilities for configuration management of models and designs.

When selecting CM software to support EIA-649C implementation, organizations should carefully evaluate how well the tool aligns with the standard's five core functions and underlying principles.

The chosen software should facilitate effective configuration identification, streamline change management processes, provide accurate status accounting, support verification and audit activities, and ultimately contribute to better planning and management of product configurations throughout their lifecycle.

Historical Context and Evolution of Configuration Management Standards Leading to SAE EIA-649C-2019

The history of configuration management standards is deeply rooted in the needs of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), which pioneered the discipline in the 1950s to effectively oversee and manage the increasingly complex hardware systems under its control.

This initial focus on hardware, encompassing items like tanks, weaponry, aircraft, and naval vessels, aimed to ensure accountability, maintain operational readiness, and track changes over time.

As the field of configuration management matured, the DoD developed a series of military standards in the 1960s and 1970s, known as the "480 series" (including MIL-STD-480, MIL-STD-481, and MIL-STD-483), which outlined uniform engineering and technical requirements for this then-military-specific discipline.

Over the subsequent decades, these individual standards were consolidated into a single, more comprehensive standard, MIL-STD-973, which was released in 1991.

A significant shift occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s, driven by acquisition reform initiatives and a move towards adopting commercial best practices.

As a cost-saving measure, the DoD canceled many military standards in favor of industry technical standards supported by standards-developing organizations (SDOs).

In line with this transition, the ANSI/EIA-649 "National Consensus Standard for Configuration Management" became a civilian standard addressing industry-agnostic best practices in CM. The DoD officially adopted EIA-649 in February 1999, eventually canceling MIL-STD-973 in 2000.

Since its initial development in 1994 by the Electronic Industries Alliance's (EIA) G-33 Committee, the EIA-649 standard has undergone several revisions and expansions.

The first version, ANSI/EIA-649 (1998), aimed to provide a standardized definition and explanation of CM and its processes.

Subsequent revisions, including TechAmerica EIA-649-A (2004) and ANSI/EIA 649-B-2011 (later owned by SAE International), continued to refine the standard, emphasizing return on investment and reducing product lifecycle costs.

Recognizing the specific needs of different sectors, SAE EIA-649-1 (2014) was developed as a defense-specific supplement, providing requirements for defense contracts, and SAE EIA-649-2 (2015) addressed the specific requirements of NASA enterprises.

The current version, SAE ANSI/EIA-649C (February 7, 2019), represents the latest evolution of the core standard. It incorporates revisions to clarify principles, improve content, and remove opinions to enhance its quality and adoptability across commercial and governmental organizations.

The SAE GEIA-Handbook (HDBK)-649A "Configuration Management Standard Implementation Guide" complements the EIA-649 standard.

This handbook, revised in 2016, serves as a practical guide to understanding and implementing the principles and functions of configuration management as outlined in ANSI/EIA-649 B. It was created to synchronize content and harmonize terminology from earlier handbooks with EIA-649B, providing a consolidated resource for CM professionals in commercial, industrial, and government communities.

Relationship Between SAE EIA-649C-2019 and Other Relevant Industry Standards and Frameworks

SAE EIA-649C-2019 does not exist in isolation but has significant relationships with other prominent industry standards and frameworks, reflecting the interconnected nature of various management disciplines.

The principles of EIA-649C are closely aligned with quality management standards such as ISO 9001 and AS9100.

These quality standards emphasize process control, documentation, and continuous improvement, all of which are integral to effective configuration management.

EIA-649C provides a specific framework for managing the configuration of products and services, directly contributing to achieving the overall quality and consistency goals promoted by standards like ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D:2016.

In essence, robust configuration management, as guided by EIA-649C, supports an organization's ability to meet quality requirements and ensure customer satisfaction.

EIA-649C also has a strong relationship with project management standards and frameworks.

Effective project management relies heavily on controlling changes to project scope, deliverables, and timelines.

The systematic approach to change management provided by EIA-649C is directly applicable to managing changes within a project context.

It ensures that all modifications are appropriately evaluated, approved, and implemented without jeopardizing project objectives.

Configuration management, as defined by EIA-649C, is a critical enabler of successful project delivery by establishing clear baselines and controlling deviations.

Furthermore, EIA-649C is deeply interconnected with systems engineering standards such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.

Systems engineering focuses on the holistic design, development, and management of complex systems throughout their lifecycle.

As outlined in EIA-649C, configuration management provides the necessary framework for managing the configuration of these complex systems, ensuring consistency between requirements, design, implementation, and verification.

The traceability and control provided by CM are essential for maintaining the integrity of the system as it evolves through various lifecycle phases, aligning directly with the principles of systems engineering.

Finally, the principles of EIA-649C are also relevant to IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks like ITIL.

ITIL's configuration management process aims to identify, control, and maintain information about IT assets (Configuration Items or CIs) to support the delivery of IT services.

While ITIL provides a framework specific to IT services, the underlying principles of configuration identification, control, status accounting, and verification found in EIA-649C are highly applicable to ensuring the stability, reliability, and security of IT infrastructure and services.

Conclusion and Recommendations for Implementing SAE EIA-649C-2019

In conclusion, the SAE EIA-649C-2019 Configuration Management Standard is a comprehensive and widely recognized framework for managing the configuration of products and systems across diverse industries.

Its emphasis on five core functions—CM Planning, Configuration Identification, Configuration Change Management, Configuration Status Accounting, and Configuration Verification & Audit—underpinned by guiding principles, provides a robust approach to ensuring product quality, reducing costs, enhancing change management, and improving overall lifecycle control.

While the standard offers numerous benefits, organizations must also be mindful of potential challenges related to complexity, implementation costs, organizational resistance, and the need for tailoring.

For organizations considering the adoption or further implementation of SAE EIA-649C-2019, the following recommendations are offered:

Gain a Thorough Understanding: Begin by acquiring and thoroughly reviewing the official SAE EIA-649C-2019 standard document to grasp its structure, terminology, and core principles. Consider leveraging resources like training courses offered by organizations such as CMPIC for a deeper understanding of the standard and its application.
Develop a Tailored CM Plan: Based on a comprehensive understanding of the standard, develop a detailed Configuration Management Plan that is specifically tailored to the organization's unique context, product complexity, and business objectives.
This plan should clearly define roles, responsibilities, processes, and the scope of CM activities.
Invest in Training and Awareness: Ensure that all personnel involved in the product lifecycle receive adequate training on the principles and procedures of configuration management as defined by the tailored CM Plan. Ongoing training and communication are crucial for fostering a culture of configuration management.
Coursewell can assist you with your company training needs.
Select and Integrate Appropriate Software Tools: Carefully evaluate and select configuration management software applications that align with the principles and functions of EIA-649C and support the organization's specific needs.
Ensure seamless integration of these tools with existing IT infrastructure and enterprise systems.
Embrace Continuous Improvement: Establish mechanisms for regularly monitoring the effectiveness of the CM program, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing necessary changes to ensure its ongoing relevance and value.
Periodic audits and assessments are essential for verifying compliance and identifying opportunities for enhancement.
Leverage Implementation Guidance: Utilize resources such as the SAE GEIA-HB-649A "Configuration Management Standard Implementation Guide" for practical insights and "how-to" guidance on applying the principles of EIA-649C in real-world scenarios.
Consider Professional Certification: Encourage CM professionals within the organization to pursue certifications related to EIA-649C, such as those offered by Coursewell and CMPIC, to enhance their expertise and ensure a high level of competency in implementing and managing configuration management practices.

By thoughtfully considering these recommendations, organizations can effectively implement the SAE EIA-649C-2019 Configuration Management Standard and reap its significant benefits in product quality, cost efficiency, change control, and overall operational excellence.

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Dan Christensen Ed Blackstone Date(s): 15 November 2023 Presented to: DAU Webinar

Walter Rodriguez

> Configuration Management (CM)

A Comprehensive Analysis of SAE EIA-649C-2019 Configuration Management Standard—Principles, Examples & Applications

> Learning to Ask Better Questions in the AI Age

> Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Decision-Making in STEM and Strategic Operations