Configuration Items and Software Lifecycle Data
Section 08: Software Certification (DO-178C)
Definition
A configuration item (CI) is a hardware or software entity that is designated for configuration management. In DO-178C, software lifecycle data — including plans (PSAC, SVP, SCMP, SQAP), requirements documents (SRD, SDD), source code, object code, test cases, test procedures, test results, traceability data, and the Software Accomplishment Summary — are all configuration items subject to configuration identification, change control, status accounting, and configuration audit. Each CI has a unique identifier, a defined baseline state, and a controlled change history.
Where This Shows Up
Configuration items form the evidence base for software certification. The certification authority must be able to verify that the lifecycle data is complete, consistent, and under configuration control. Configuration identification (assigning unique identifiers and version numbers to each CI) enables traceability and reproducibility. The configuration management system must ensure that changes to any CI go through the approved change control process.
Primary Sources
Defines the software configuration management process and the configuration items that must be managed.
Related Terms
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