OVERVIEW The overall objective of configuration management is to guarantee the buyer that a given product is what it was intended to be@ functionally and physically@ as defined by contractual drawings and specifications@ and to identify the configuration to the lowest level of assembly required to assure repeatable performance@ quality@ maintainability and reliability in all units of the same product. With thousand of engineering changes as normal part ;of the development of a complex product@ how can the customer and contractor be sure that the product initially described in a specification and contract is being delivered? Stripped to essentials@ configuration control (and Configuration Status Accounting@ CSA) directs itself at this need to know just what the hardware@ software@ and supporting data (drawings@ design documents@ operating manuals@ repair instructions@ etc.) consist of as the project evolves with' changes that occur daily.