Configuration ManagementT3 Webinar Feb 21, 2008

Chuck Larsen

ITS Program Coordinator

Oregon Department of Transportation

Outline

• CM at ODOT– Our repositories– Configuration Identification (more formal)– Change Management– Accounting– Audits (less formal)

• Support for CM

• Benefits & Lessons learned

Configuration Management at ODOT

• CM is very integrated into what we do

• It is hard to discuss it as a sole context

• It is a key process set in our system development, project management, and maintenance methodology

CM Repositories at ODOT

• Project document– Project Statements, Designs, Test Plans, Specs, etc...

• Source code• Requirements Repository• Application deployment and versioning• Hardware deployment• Field equipment

Project Documents

Project documentation is stored in directories, the directory structure is controlled by the project office. It is organized by system by project. They are also organized by projects in development vs. in production.

Project Documents Include

• Project Management

• Development Methodology– Architecture– Development strategy– Requirements reports– Design– Specs– Test plans

Source Code Management

Source code is stored in directories, the directory structure is controlled by the project office. It is organized by system and by version. Old versions are stored in history. Current development code vs. what is in production.

Requirements Repository (Doors)158

6194

The TOCS’s shall support an automatic interface to the Remedy application. Automatic notification may be based upon thresholds

2 700

156

5239

The TOCS system shall be capable of generating alarms from all ODOT field devices within an ODOT designated zone.

2 700

76 4249

The TOCS will use Traffic Monitoring Stations to determine traffic conditions

2 700

309

6320

The scheduler shall support at least # TBD simultaneous active, scheduled events at any given time.

2 700

310

6321

The scheduler shall be able to integrate other subsystems, such that additional devices and actions may be scheduled (i.e., set camera views for time of day, schedule ramp metering, etc.).

2 700

406

3379

The TOCS shall provide an integrated VSL (Variable Speed Limit) program using all of ODOT’s roadway field devices.

2 700

ODOT maintains a master requirements list of all systems. The list gets updated through the system development and maintenance process.

This is not true for all legacy systems.

Hardware/Software

IT System Menu

IT System Name Acronym Program Area

Top of FormAdvanced Traffic Management

ATM ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)

Automatic Vehicle Location AVL ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)

AVTEC Radio System AVT ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)

Cable TV CTV ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)

Camera Services ITS-CSS ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)

Closed Circuit TV Region 1 CCT1 ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)

Closed Circuit TV Region 2-5 CCT2-5 ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)

Computer Aided Dispatch CAD ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) Bottom of Form

And the list goes on …

System Repository

System information

System Repository

Contact information

System Repository

Interfaces

System Repository

System components List

System Repository

System component information

Note: Production, test and development environments or tracked.

Hardware ViewServers by Application

Hardware ViewComponents Loaded on a Server

Change Management

The Process

Configuration Establishment/Identification

Theoretical “CM” process describes this as following:• To establish the CM infrastructure in order to ensure integrity and

consistency in the various versions of the configuration items delivered.

• To formalize a CM plan.

In practice ODOT:• Establishes what elements go to which repository though policy and

procedure.• Does not commonly create CM plans on a project level. • Creation of the elements are established in the development and

maintenance processes.• Each component type has naming conventions. Not all elements

have formal naming conventions.

Accounting & Change Management

The Theoretical “CM” process describes this as:• Implementing changes • Tracking the changes to the system

In practice ODOT uses:• SCM requests to track and control source code and

project documentation

• Change requests to document implementation changes to the production/test environment

ODOT SCM

What– Source code– Project documentation

Processes– SCM requests

Controls– Program coordinator oversight– Project office oversight

ODOT Change Management

What– All changes to the IT environment must go through

ODOT’s change management process.

Processes– Change Request

• Repository Updates• Logs

Controls– All changes are managed and coordinated by

ODOT’s ITS maintenance coordinator. Verifies all standards and practices are met.

Configuration Audits

The Theoretical “CM” process describes this as:• To ensure that developers have followed the CM process with

respect to all external obligations.• To verify that the software items match the configuration item

descriptions in the specification documentation, and that the package being reviewed is complete.

In practice ODOT uses:• High level testing of each requirement as part of the project. • Auditing by the project office that the required documentation is

complete.• Review by the Program Coordinator of results.

Configuration Management

Support at ODOT

CM is required by policy at ODOT– Policy IS-002, established in 1999 in

response to Y2K– ADM 04-05 System engineering

Primarily an IT policy

ODOT Policy IS-002 Established 1999

IT Configuration Management

PURPOSE: To ensure that the integrity of ODOT’s software and hardware

assets, and their related components, is protected and effectively managed throughout the product’s life cycle.

BACKGROUND: In 1991, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1210. This legislation

states, "Information is a strategic asset of the state which must be managed as a valuable state resource." ODOT has an enormous investment in hardware, and created and purchased information software to support the organization’s business processes. The integrity of these components is vital to the organization.

CM Policy Goals

• GOALS:• CM activities are planned for each project• Configuration components are identified,

maintained in a controlled repository, and made available as needed

• Changes to established configuration components are controlled

• Affected groups and individuals are aware of baseline content, the status of configuration data, proposed changes, and how to access this information

Policy Guidelines

• Establish and maintain CM processes and procedures to ensure software and hardware assets, and their related components, are protected and effectively managed throughout their life cycle

• Assign responsibility for CM for each project or product

• Ensure CM is implemented and utilized throughout the product’s life cycle

• Ensure configuration component baselines and CM activities are audited on a periodic basis

Key Factor:

Strong partnership between ITS and IS.• IS leadership realized ITS was coming and

planned accordingly.• IS staffs positions specifically for ITS

– Development– Field Maintenance– Project Management

• System Methodology

Benefits of CM

You control the system. Not the other way around.

You can make changes affordably.Reduced costs for future projects

Reduced costs for maintenance

Benefits of CM

How else can you…Keep track of

• Dozens of applications• Over 50 servers• Several 100 field devices

While• Working on 3-6 major software development projects• Process dozens of maintenance requests• Dealing with standard IT infrastructure maintenance• Adding several new devices every month• Maintaining and updating the field equipment

Lessons learned

• Partnership with IS is important

• Keep it as simple as you can

• Certain things must be very formal– Change management into production.

• The people who use the data must be responsible for maintaining the data.

You know your CM is working if

• You know what applications are installed where?• You know what components and versions make up your

applications.• When a system has problems maintenance staff don’t

waste time looking for documentation.• When you start an enhancement project to an existing

system you have the document you need.– Existing requirements– Existing test plans– Etc…

• Staff doesn’t struggle with implementation of systems.• Field Staff know the what equipment is installed in what

cabinets, so they can take the appropriate spare parts.

Contact Info

Chuck LarsenOregon Department TransportationIntelligent Transportation System Program CoordinatorPhone: 503 986 3676Email: Norman.c.Larsen@odot.state.or.uswww.tripcheck.com