According to the PMBOK® Guide (Project Integration Management), specifically within the Perform Integrated Change Control process, configuration management activities are essential for maintaining the integrity of the project baselines. Configuration management is often integrated into the overall change control system.
The three specific activities mentioned are the core components of a Configuration Management System:
Configuration Identification: Selection and identification of a configuration item to provide the basis for which the product configuration is defined and verified, products and documents are labeled, changes are managed, and accountability is maintained.
Configuration Status Accounting: Information is recorded and reported as to when appropriate data about the configuration item should be provided. This includes a listing of approved configuration identification, status of proposed changes to the configuration, and the implementation status of approved changes.
Configuration Verification and Audit: Configuration verification and configuration audits ensure the composition of a project’s configuration items is correct and that corresponding changes are registered, assessed, approved, tracked, and correctly implemented. This ensures the functional requirements defined in the configuration documentation have been met.
Analysis of Distractors:
A. Perform Quality Assurance: This process (now called Manage Quality) focuses on auditing the quality requirements and results from quality control measurements to ensure appropriate quality standards are used. It does not manage the functional or physical characteristics of project artifacts (configuration).
B. Direct and Manage Project Work: This is an execution process where the work is performed and deliverables are produced. While it follows the configuration rules, it does not define the management of the configuration identification or audits.
C. Monitor and Control Project Work: This is a broad process for tracking, reviewing, and reporting the overall progress to meet performance objectives defined in the project management plan. It does not contain the specific technical sub-activities of configuration management, which are housed under Integrated Change Control.
