Configuration item

[1] Examples of CIs include individual hardware or software components.

The configuration-management system oversees the life of the CIs through a combination of processes and tools by implementing and enabling the fundamental elements of identification, change management, status accounting, and audits.

This system aims to avoid the introduction of errors related to lack of testing as well as of incompatibilities with other CIs.

In addition to its purpose in the implementation and management of a change, each configuration item's listing and definition should act as a common vocabulary across all groups connected to the product.

Selection and identification of configuration items for a particular project can be seen as the first step in developing an overall architecture of the product from the top down.