Software Change, Configuration and Release Management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? Software configuration management (SCM) is a process for facilitating and controlling changes to software products within an organization. This course covers configuration activities such as: configuration planning, change control and management, system building, and version and release management. You learn how the application core processes of SCM contribute to the success of a software project. A software and hardware prototype is used in the case study throughout the course, allowing the concepts of SCM to be applied during workshops and activities. What background do I need? No particular programming language or specific software expertise is assumed. Familiarity with a software development life cycle is helpful. Who will benefit from this course? The course is valuable to software development and maintenance personnel coding or designing systems, systems administrators and those leading software-intensive activities such as business analysts, project leaders and configuration managers. Anyone involved with software development, integration, maintenance, operations, testing, quality assurance or process improvement benefits from this course. How is this course structured? This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlusTM -- an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through media-rich case studies, role playing, and video/computer-based activities, you are immersed throughout the course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organization! Does my whole development team need to attend? While beneficial to entire development teams, providing a foundation for representatives of each group would be a good starting point. It is also not necessary that the entire development team attend at the same time, and onsite options for your company are also available. Please ask your Sales representative if onsite is something of interest to you. Is the course relevant for all types of programming teams? Yes. This course is beneficial to one person teams as well as teams with large co-located groups as well as geographically dispersed groups. The course approaches the software development life cycle by considering phases in development, not by aligning with one approach or another. SCM applies at the SDLC phase, regardless of the type, size, language, or budget of a programming project. Are SCM techniques effective for projects of varying sizes and complexity? Software expected to have long operational life needs to be maintained and altered over time. It may need to be distributed to multiple locations or modified to run on a different platform. Software in fast-changing Web applications with aggressive, market-drive deadlines also need to be controlled. The control mechanisms built into the software configuration management process ensure that these challenges are understood, controlled and supported. SCM concepts can be applied to any project, regardless of size and complexity. Are there software packages useful for configuration management? If so, will they be demonstrated during the course? Yes. The course focuses on the principles and application of SCM processes, taking a tool-independent approach. When you return to your work environment, the SCM principles built into the various tools of the industry will be evident and will then be able to be properly used according to the software vendor's implementation. Is the course linked to a specific CM approach, programming language or operating system? No. The practical techniques that the course advocates are applicable to mainframes, servers, workstations and personal computers across the spectrum of operating systems. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Foundation for configuration and release management 3.0 Identifying Configuration Items (CIs) 3.0 Controlling change 3.0 Communicating configuration status 2.0 Auditing in preparation for a release 2.0 Deciding on a build strategy 2.0 Developing a release strategy 2.0 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. How much time does the course spend in activities? Throughout the course, an interactive and evolving case study immerses you in the SDLC of a project from inception to product release. Working in small groups, you employ both PC-based and paper tools to gain first-hand knowledge and experience in all SCM processes and tasks. Activities include: Matching software project needs to SCM process capability Gathering the attributes and characteristics to create a Configuration Item list Designing a change control process that accommodates change requests and problem reports Creating a design baseline Identifying key reports needed for effective SCM communications How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? This SCM course works well in conjunction with any Learning Tree course that employs the software development life cycle, in particular those courses within the Software Engineering Curriculum, including: 340, Project Management for Software Development develops and improves the knowledge and skills required to successfully plan and manage software development and maintenance projects 932, CMMI®: A Comprehensive Introduction  provides the knowledge and skills to apply CMMI principles and practices to meet the demands of internal and customer requirements 312, Software Quality Assurance: Delivering Consistent Quality provides the skills you need to define and audit software engineering processes and measure their effectiveness 315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success provides proven methods for ensuring that your applications, products and services meet your users' needs and expectations 316, Software Testing Foundation: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides practical experience with testing and inspection procedures and methods 322, Systems Analysis and Design: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides you with a comprehensive set of techniques to be adapted to different development environments, including database systems, real-time software and user interface design 323, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML: Hands-On guides developers through the process used to develop object-oriented software 424, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers a foundation in the concepts, modeling, design and implementation of SOA

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