Configuration Management Glossary

The ease with which parts that need to be serviced or replaced are accessible. This means they should be located in a way that makes them easy to reach and remove without requiring special tools or equipment.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A change to correct a documentation error that will not impact the part, e.g., spelling, grammar or another typo.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

1. The approved requirements for a product, subsystem or component, describing the functional, performance, interoperability, interface and verification requirements, that are allocated from higher-level requirements, as established at a specific point in time and documented in the allocated configuration documentation.
_{Source: MIL-STD-3046(ARMY)}

2. Documentation that designates the Configuration Items making up a system and then allocates the system function and performance requirements across the Configuration Items. It includes all functional and interface characteristics that are allocated from those of a higher-level Configuration Item or from the system itself, derived requirements, interface requirements with other Configuration Items, design restraints, and the verification required to demonstrate the achievement of specified functional and interface characteristics. The performance of each Configuration Item in the Allocated Baseline is described in its item performance specification.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: ABL

The documentation describing a Configuration Item’s functional, performance, and interoperability requirements that are allocated from those of a system or higher-level Configuration Items; interface requirements with interfacing Configuration Items; and the verifications required to confirm the achievement of those specified requirements.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: ACD

A part that can be used instead of the preferred part in specific applications.
_{Source: mdux.net}

An object (form) used to authorize and control work or activities being performed on, or relative to, parts*. E.g., a production or purchase order.
_{*Source: Ken Black, Institute for Process Excellence (IpX) – CM2-501 rev 005}

Synonym for CM2 Baseline

Synonym for Backward Interchangeable.

Refers to the capability of the successor (new) part to fully replace the predecessor (old) part in all applications of the old part, but not the other way around. (Fully: achieving the same results without any special measures)
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

1. The configuration of an item established at a specific point in time and documented in the configuration documentation (e.g., specifications, drawings, Technical Data Packages (TDPs), etc.). The baseline is a formal, controlled, and maintained set of data that can serve as a point of departure for defining change.
_{Source: MIL-STD-3046(ARMY)}

2. a. An agreed-to description of the attributes of a product, at a point in time, which serves as a basis for defining change.
b. An approved and released document, or a set of documents, each of a specific revision; the purpose of which is to provide a defined basis for managing change.
c. The currently approved and released configuration documentation.
d. A released set of files comprising a software version and associated configuration documentation.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

3. A formally approved configuration snapshot at a specific point in time. It acts as a reference for defining changes and is used as a basis to order parts, manufacture and maintain products.
_{Source: mdux.net}

A dataset that defines the list of parts with their quantities to manufacture, produce or assemble the parent part. A Bill of Materials is single level.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Parts that are supplied by a 1+n tier supplier to an n tier supplier, where n ≥ 1.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The means by which an approved Change Request is planned and implemented.
_{Source: mdux.net}

The means by which a proposal to alter an item is described, analyzed and dispositioned.
_{Source: mdux.net}

A rolling or moving baseline that is updated with every released dataset and includes visibility on both the released and planned changes to the datasets and items in the baseline. Also known as As Planned/As Released Baseline.

The concept of standardizing product and process designs resulting in e.g. use of common parts and/or common build sequences.
_{Source: mdux.net}

1.The functional and physical characteristics of existing or planned hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof, as detailed in requirements and technical documentation and ultimately achieved in a product.
_{Source: MIL-STD-3046(ARMY)}

2. A collection of an item’s descriptive and governing characteristics that can be expressed in functional terms (i.e., what performance the item is expected to achieve) and in physical terms (i.e., what the item should look like and consist of when it is built). Configuration represents the requirements, architecture, design, and implementation that define a particular version of a system or system component.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

1. A product or an aggregation of products that accomplishes an end-use function and requires separate identification. An item is designated as a CI for purposes of additional configuration management focus due to its complexity, logistic support requirements, acquisition strategy, or because it is intended to undergo configuration status accounting or verification and audit separately from other items. Configuration items are end items or major components of end items, which typically have performance requirements allocated to them and documented in their own specification.
_{Source: MIL-STD-3046(ARMY)}

2. a. An aggregation of hardware, software, or both that is designated for CM and treated as a single entity in the CM process.
b. The entity within a configuration that satisfies an end use function and that can be uniquely identified at a given reference point.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

The process of tracking, recording, and reporting the current state of your configuration items. It gives you a clear picture of (not exhaustive):

• Which items are in use and which are obsolete.
• What changes have been proposed, approved, or implemented.
• Whether all parts and documents are properly aligned.

_{Source: mdux.net}

The activity to determine that the part conforms to its requirements, including the incorporation of approved changes.
_{Source: mdux.net}

The ability to control how and when changes will be applied to a part or unit. This includes which changes will be applied and when, but also changes to the location of a unit or an application order that is executed against the unit.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A set of information that must be released as a whole and can be released separately from any other dataset.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

1. An authorization for a planned non-conformance, that allows the manufacturer to depart from the released part specification for a specified period or specific number of units.
_{Source: mdux.net}

2. A specific written authorization, granted prior to the manufacture of an item, to depart from a particular requirement(s) of an item's current approved configuration documentation for a specific number of units or a specified period of time. (A deviation differs from an engineering change in that an approved engineering change requires corresponding revision of the item's current approved configuration documentation, whereas a deviation does not.)
_{Source: MIL-STD-973}

A type of dataset.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A released dataset that is to be used when executing an application order.
_{Source: mdux.net}

Effectivity is a designation to ensure 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.
_{Source: mdux.net}

A part that can be used interchangeably instead of the preferred part in all applications.
_{Source: mdux.net}

A product's visual and design elements that are considered essential for its overall appearance and appeal. These may include color, shape/geometry, size, volume, texture, viscosity, and overall style, e.g., a graphical user interface style for software.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Refers to fit-for-use, which translates to the ability to mate with other parts (Hardware: includes dimensions and tolerances, and Software: includes requirements for memory, disk space, and processing power) and conformance to any relevant manufacturability and serviceability requirements.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Refers to the appearance/esthetic requirements of a part. Things like shape/geometry, relative size, viscosity (when it concerns visual appeal), volume, look and feel.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Refers to a part's functional, reliability, regulatory, sustainability, safety, and performance requirements.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

1. The approved functional requirements for a product or system, describing the functional, performance, interoperability, interface, and verification requirements, established at a specific point in time and documented in the functional configuration documentation.
_{Source: MIL-STD-3046(ARMY)}

2. The approved functional requirements for a product or system describing the functional, performance, interoperability, interface, and verification requirements established at a specific point in time and documented in the functional configuration documentation.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: FBL

Quantitative performance parameters and design constraints, including operational and logistic parameters and their respective tolerances. Functional characteristics include all performance parameters, such as range, speed, lethality, reliability, maintainability, and safety.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

The formal examination of functional characteristics of a Configuration Item or system to verify that the item has achieved the requirements specified in its Functional Configuration Documentation or Allocated Configuration Documentation.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: FCA

The documentation describing the system’s functional, performance, interoperability, and interface requirements and the verifications required to demonstrate the achievement of those specified requirements.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: FCD

A bill of materials where child parts are linked by their part number to the parent part revision.
_{Source: mdux.net}

Synonym of Unit
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Parts that are capable of fully replacing each other in any application*. (Fully: achieving the same results without any special measures, except for normal adjustment**, e.g., calibration, adjusting the tension on a belt, or the alignment of a component)

_{* Source: Ken Black, Institute for Process Excellence (IpX) – CM2-501 rev 005
** Source: US DoD - MIL-STD-280A Military Standard Definitions of Item Levels, Item Exchangeability, Models and Related Terms (1969)}

Refers to the interaction between parts and between parts and their environment, including their user. Things like user interaction, interoperability, syntax, semantics, and protocols for communication.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The ability of different parts to work together seamlessly and effectively, allowing data and information to be exchanged between them without the need for special effort or manual intervention.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A non-specific term used to denote anything that can be specified by requirements and can be used to decompose any type of hierarchy, e.g. a part or a function.
_{Source: mdux.net}

An identifying number consisting of alpha and/or numeric characters that uniquely identifies a group of units of the same part which are manufactured or assembled by the same manufacturer under uniform conditions and which are expected to function in a uniform manner.
_{Based on: MIL-HDBK-61B}

A change that impacts the interchangeability and/or traceability requirements of the part.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The ease with which a part can be manufactured, considering factors such as materials, production processes, and quality control measures.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A change that does not impact the interchangeability requirements of the part.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A design principle that subdivides a system into smaller parts called modules, which can be independently created, modified, replaced, or exchanged with other modules or between different systems.
_{Source: Wikipedia}

Is the degree to which a part is composed of smaller, interchangeable parts which can be replaced or upgraded individually.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The failure of a unit or product to meet a specified requirement.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

A non-specific term used to denote any product, assembly, or component, including hardware (e.g., rim or spokes), software (e.g., control software), processed materials (e.g., glue), or service (e.g., training) that satisfies a function.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A part that groups other parts where the phantom part will never physically exist and/or does not have any traceability requirements toward the final product.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The physical examination is the actual configuration of the item being produced. It verifies that the related design documentation matches the item as specified in the contract. The system product baseline is finalized and validated at the Physical Configuration Audit.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: PCA

A Configuration Item’s detail design documentation including those verifications necessary for accepting product deliveries (first article and acceptance inspections.) Based on program production/procurement strategies, the design information contained in the Physical Configuration Documentation can be as simple as identifying a specific part number or as complex as full design disclosure.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: PCD

A bill of materials where child parts are linked by part revision.
_{Source: mdux.net}

A sellable part that represents a commercial offering.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

1. The approved detailed design requirements for a product or system established at a specific point in time and documented in the product configuration documentation.
_{Source: MIL-STD-3046(ARMY)}

2. Documentation describing all of the necessary functional and physical characteristics of the Configuration Item, the selected functional and physical characteristics designated for production acceptance testing, and tests necessary for deployment/installation, operation, support, training, and disposal of the Configuration Item. The initial Product Baseline is usually established and put under configuration control at each Configuration Item’s critical design review, culminating in an initial Product Baseline at the system-level Critical Design Review. The system Product Baseline is finalized and validated at the Physical Configuration Audit.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: PBL

One or more datasets that define the functional and non-functional requirements for a product. It is a detailed description of the product's features, performance, and characteristics, including its intended use, design constraints, and any relevant standards or regulations that apply.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Quantitative and qualitative expressions of material features, such as composition, dimensions, finishes, form, fit, and their respective tolerances.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Is the process in which a dataset is approved by the appropriate authority and becomes subject to configuration change management procedures.

An approved dataset that can no longer be edited, and is available for creating new revisions or other downstream datasets.
_{Source: mdux.net}

A procedure which reduces, but does not completely eliminate, a nonconformance. Repair is distinguished from rework in that the characteristic after repair still does not completely conform to the applicable drawings, specifications, or contract requirements.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

The ease with which parts can be replaced. This includes things like snap-fit connections, quick-release mechanisms, and modular design.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Synonym for Replacement Part

A part that is interchangeable with another part, but which differs physically from the original part in that the installation of the replacement part requires operations such as drilling, reaming, cutting, filing, shimming, etc., in addition to the normal application and methods of attachment.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

The incorporation of new design parts or software code, resulting from an approved engineering change, to a product’s current approved Physical Configuration Documentation and into products already delivered to and accepted by customers.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

A part involved in a return flow where it can be scrapped, salvaged, repaired, refurbished, retrofitted, upgraded, reworked, or decommissioned.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

1. Dataset Revision: Represents a change to a dataset. Revisions support the traceability of changes.
_{Source: mdux.net}
2. Part Revision (in a PLM tool): Represents a change to a part where the part remains fully interchangeable.
_{Source: mdux.net}

A procedure applied to a product to eliminate a nonconformance to the drawings, specifications, or contract requirements that will completely eliminate the nonconformance and result in a characteristic that conforms completely.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Refers to the need for Serviceability and Manufacturability requirements that should also include safety considerations to ensure that manufacturing, maintenance, and repair can be performed safely. This does not refer to Safety requirements from the perspective of the customer or the use of the product. These fall under the category of Function.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A numeric or alphanumeric sequentially issued identifier used to designate a specific instance of a product among like products.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

The ease with which a part can be serviced, taking into account accessibility, replaceability, safety, modularity, labeling, diagnostics, and availability of documentation, training materials, and augmented reality assistance.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
_{Source: UN World Commission on Environment and Development – Our Common Future (1987)}

The set of rules governing the structure of sentences in a language or programming language that ensures that its meaning is clear and unambiguous.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The authoritative technical description of an item. This technical description supports an acquisition strategy and production, inspection, engineering, and logistics support for the item. The description defines the required design configuration, performance requirements, and procedures required to ensure adequacy of item performance. It consists of all applicable technical data such as models, engineering design data, associated lists, specifications, standards, performance requirements, quality assurance provisions, software documentation, and packaging details.
_{Source: MIL-HDBK-61B}

Abbreviation: TDP

The ability to look up the history of a part or unit. Questions like: Where has it been, and what was its status at that time?
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

Ability to track, trace and control a part or unit as it moves through a process.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The ability to look up the status quo of a part or unit. Questions like: Where is it now, or what is its current state?
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

A single instantiation of a part as the result of an executed application order.
_{Source: The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification}

The activity to determine if a part meets the operational needs of the user.
_{Source: mdux.net}

See Configuration Verification

1. An authorization for an unplanned non-conformance, to accept or use a part as is or after repair by an approved method.
_{Source: mdux.net}

2. A written authorization to accept an item, which during manufacture, or after having been submitted for Government inspection or acceptance, is found to depart from specified requirements, but nevertheless is considered suitable for use "as is" or after repair by an approved method.
_{Source: MIL-STD-973}