How to Answer: How would you define software configuration management?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Software Developer job interview.
4. How would you define software configuration management?
How to Answer
In simple terms, software configuration management systematically manages, tracks, and controls changes that happen in the software development lifecycle. This includes changes in the code, documentation, and process. Change control, however unpopular, is a function that ensures all changes made to the software system are consistent with development practices and internal methodologies. The ultimate goal is to see productivity improvement with a minimal amount of mistakes throughout the development lifecycle. Here the interviewer is looking for how you prioritize configuration management duties and responsibilities and your experience controlling something even if you don't know what it is. This can be tricky, so let me explain. Configuration management is used if multiple team members are working on software or revision running on multiple machines or needs constant updating. Another reason is if a company has multiple locations or divisions that need to distribute work concurrently.
Written by Tom Dushaj on August 31st, 2021
1st Answer Example
"My definition of software configuration management is a set of activities that identify several items including source code modules, test cases, requirements specification documents, tools used, objects, files, and CSCI in SCM repositories, to name a few. There are also other important activities that I coincide with these actions as well. I look at a baseline that lets me know the accepted version of a software configuration item. The second is change control, which is a method that ensures quality and consistency when changes are made. Third on this list are configuration audits which verify that the software meets the minimum baseline needs and that the deliverable is being met."
Written by Tom Dushaj on August 31st, 2021
2nd Answer Example
"I follow several protocols and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency and the highest quality deliverability when it comes to software configuration management. Here's a breakdown of what I address in the course of my configuration management duties.
Change Management is a procedural method that ensures quality and consistency when changes are made to a particular object. It also manages during the software development lifecycle.
Software Configuration Management Plan - Follow IEEE standards, fix versioning policies and change control, define tools for use, define naming conventions and documentation, and configure management database during the Software Configuration Management (SCM) process.
Version Control - Use an archiving method to save all changes made to all files.
Concurrency Management - When two or more tasks or project activities happen concurrently."
Written by Tom Dushaj on August 31st, 2021