This course will study Configuration Management (CM). This will include CM principles and implementation, project integrity assurance, and the ISO 9000 Quality Standard CM requirements. Hardware, software, and firmware applications will be developed and will be illustrated by a comprehensive case study. Three class hours/week for 15 weeks.

Note: ENT 201 is part of the core Quality Assurance (QA) sequence of courses. The QA course sequence serves both as preparation for ASQ professional certification, and towards a degree. The other courses in the core QA sequence are ENT 186, ENT 171, ENT 192, and ENT 202. Refer to the college catalog for the complete list of degree requirements.

Textbook: Implementing Configuration Management: Hardware, Software, Firmware, 2^nd Edition, Fletcher Buckley.

Location: Largo, MD campus

Registration: PGCC main campus, Bladen Hall. 301 Largo Road, Largo, MD (301) 322-0819

College Contact: Professor Charles Hendrickson, CQE (301) 322-0760. PG College Engineering Technology Faculty member. Email at chendrickson@pgcc.edu

Instructor: Joe Ludford, CQE, CRE, CSQE, CQM (301) 843-3087. Joe is on the executive board of the Washington DC chapter of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and is the owner and principal consultant of White Hart Associates. Joe has a distinguished teaching background. Email at Jludford@radix.net

• Environment, Planning
• Identification, Control, Status Accounting
• Facility, Audit & Verification

Additional topics- detailed objectives

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:  The student will be able to explain: 

1.      The purpose and function of configuration management (CM) and its place in a quality system. Relevance of CM to the ISO 9000:2000 Int’l Quality Standards.

2.      Exercise of CM and project integrity

3.      The CM environment: hardware, software, firmware processes

4.      Configuration identification (ID) including baselines, selection, inputs, process outputs, and a software CM library (SCML)

5.      Configuration status and be able to describe a CM database

 The student will be able to implement: 

6.      CM planning activities: CM and project metrics, procedures

7.      CM document controls including ID and classifications

8.      Configuration controls: problem reporting, failure analysis, corrective action, evaluation, coordination, approvals, and changes.

9.      Configuration control of hardware: nonconforming materials &n product, retrofits

10.  Configuration control of software: vendor considerations, product support, maintainability, CM library

11.  Configuration control  documentation (CC)

·        Changes to base-lined: items, hardware, software, firmware, documents, drawings

·        CC documents, engineering change notice and approval, deviations, waivers, specification changes

·        Automating process improvements

12.  Configuration status using a CM database

13.  CM and facility: establish requirements, resources

14.  Configuration auditing: functional, physical, in-process audits

15.  The student will develop a comprehensive CM implementation for an assigned project involving all of the important CM functions studied. Student will present this project to the class.

SYLLABUS

Week 1            Definition of CM, basic CM activities and relevance of CM to the quality system.  

Week 2            CM environment: hardware, software, firmware. CM planning. Configuration items. 

Week 3            Configuration identification: baselines, selection, CM library. Hardware, software, firmware ID considerations.           

Week 4            Document controls, ID, and classifications           

Week 5            Examination 

Week 6            Configuration controls: hardware nonconforming materials and product; software product support, maintainability, vendor considerations 

Week 7            Configuration controls: control board, configuration status accounting 

Week 8            CM applied to production: CMP, material review board, problem resolution board 

Week 9            Configuration control (CC) documentation: changes to base-lined items, hardware, software, firmware, documents, drawings, engineering change notices, deviations, waivers, specification changes and approval 

Week 10          Examination 

Week 11          CM software commonly used for documentation and implementation.  Automated CM practices and PDM. 

Week 12          CM planning and auditing: functional, physical, and in-process audits                       

Week 13          CM implementation and facility: establish requirements, resources, and implementation of plan.                       

Week 14          Review CM functions. Demonstrate when and how each configuration control should be implemented. Students will present their CM implementation projects to the class. 

Week 15          Examination- comprehensive

Required:  Textbook:

Practical CM: Best Configuration Management Practices for the 21st Century, 4^th edition By: David D. Lyon Raven Publishing, 866-443-6533       http://www.configuration.org     D_Lyon@compuserve.com   ISBN 0966124820