The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Configuration management CFMG

Planning, identifying, controlling, accounting for and auditing of configuration items (CIs) and their interrelationships.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Minor readability changes
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Configuration items (CIs) can include a wide variety of components (objects) such as, but not limited to, source code, software, products, systems, hardware, networks, buildings, suppliers, process definitions and documents. A coherent set of CIs forms a configuration.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • identifying and documenting the functional and physical characteristics of CIs
  • identifying the relationships and maintain coherence between CIs for specific configurations
  • identifying the associated configuration(s), status, version and other characteristics of CIs at distinct points in time
  • controlling changes to CI characteristics, recording and reporting change processing and implementation status
  • systematically controlling changes to a configuration and maintaining the integrity, coherence and traceability of that configuration throughout the project, system and/or service lifecycle
  • adhering to established safety, security and quality standards
  • verifying and auditing CI records for data quality and compliance with specified internal and external requirements.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Configuration management: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Applies tools, techniques and processes to administer, track, log, report on and correct configuration items, components and changes.

Assists with audits to check the accuracy of the information and undertakes any necessary corrective action under direction.

Configuration management: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Applies tools, techniques and processes to track, log and correct information related to configuration items.

Verifies and approves changes to protect assets and components from unauthorised change, diversion and inappropriate use.

Supports user compliance with identification standards for object types, environments, processes, lifecycles, documentation, versions, formats, baselines, releases and templates.

Performs audits to check the accuracy of the information and undertakes any necessary corrective action under direction.

Configuration management: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Proposes and agrees the configuration items (CIs) to be uniquely identified with naming conventions.

Puts in place operational processes for secure configuration, classification and management of CIs and for verifying and auditing configuration records.

Develops, configures and maintains tools (including automation) to identify, track, log and maintain accurate, complete and current information.

Reports on the status of configuration management. Identifies problems and issues and recommend corrective actions.

Configuration management: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Plans the capture and management of CIs and related information.

Agrees scope of configuration management processes and the configuration items (CIs) and related information to be controlled.

Identifies, evaluates and manages the adoption of appropriate tools, techniques and processes (including automation) for configuration management.

Contributes to the development of configuration management strategies, policies, standards and guidelines.

Configuration management: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Develops configuration management strategies, policies, standards and guidelines.

Champions the importance and value of configuration management and develops new methods and organisational capabilities (including automation) for configuration management.

Provides resources to drive adoption of, and adherence to, policies and standards.

Measures and monitors adherence to standards and ensures consistent execution of the process across the organisation.