Configuration Management is… Effectivity!
In Configuration Management (CM), effectivity is not just about timing—according to SAE-EIA-649C, it’s
“A designation, defining the product range, at which a specific product configuration applies, a change is to be or has been affected, or to which a variance applies.”
In other words, effectivity ensures that changes are implemented at the right time, in the right place, and under the right conditions. Effectivity can be managed based on serial, lot, or batch numbers, block numbers, model numbers, dates, or events.
Without a structured approach to effectivity, organizations tend to use the latest and greatest, and therefore risk misaligned implementations, compliance failures, and operational inefficiencies.
Effectivity: The Key to Controlled Change
- Defined Applicability – Specifies whether a dataset is to be used based on conditions such as serial number, lot, date, or model number.
- Synchronized Implementation – Ensures that affected stakeholders receive and apply changes at the right time, avoiding premature or delayed usage.
- Regulatory & Contractual Compliance – Provides traceability to demonstrate that changes were adopted correctly and within required timelines.
Example in Action:
A company releasing an embedded software update for products in the field must control when and where it becomes effective. If effectivity is managed improperly:
X Some products may receive the update before necessary hardware is in place.
X Others may continue using outdated versions beyond the approved phase-out date.
With proper effectivity control, deployment aligns seamlessly with production schedules, customer requirements, and compliance regulations.
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Note: the CM is… series posts are not intended to limit the scope of Configuration Management but to create awareness of the breadth of CM. Each of these elements is part of good Configuration Management Practice.