CM in the Future/Summary

It is certainly presumptive to predict the future; however, it may be more permissible as a wish, rather than a forecast. It is likely that the discipline of Configuration Management (CM) will gradually shift from the traditional “Identification, Control, Accounting, and Planning.” There will be an increased use of operative Cross Functional Teams in the CM processes—Release, BOM, Request, and Change. There will be recognition that poor implementation of cross-functional team practices does not negate the power of the concept. Furthermore, there will be an increased emphasis on the product specification and its interchangeability as the key procurement tools. Companies will realize that approval of supplier design changes is a poor substitute for well thought-out component specifications and interchangeability requirements. A move to limit the time for customer approval is occurring, and will increase.