Managing the IT Configuration – Part I

Configuration management is considered by many knowledge leaders as a key process for enabling IT services support. Under typical circumstances, configuration management’s key process status is attributable to an accepted belief that the initiation point for adequately managing IT services depends on clearly knowing what items constitute the entity’s IT architecture.

Most entities should have an information assets inventory of configuration items (CIs) utilized in providing IT services. However, maintaining a current IT inventory listing can be a managerial challenge, if not addressed through a process with information asset owner participation. Considering entity information assets are continuously updated, it is critical that the IT department regulate and provide change documentation to support future maintenance situations. Therefore, configuration management requires appropriate controls.