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The purpose of this paper is to theorize the social dynamics of modifiable off-the-shelf software (MOTS) configuration process. The authors do so by formulating theoretical propositions about the configuration process.

The authors have conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on MOTS configuration and the associated challenges to draw on the properties of MOTS. The authors then examined these properties through the lens of social construction of technology to formulate the authors’ theoretical propositions.

The authors formulate theoretical propositions about the configuration process. The authors also develop four scenarios based on the authors’ theoretical propositions for managing the configuration process of MOTS. These scenarios categorize the difficulty level of the configuration by two theoretical groups: malleability and interpretive flexibility.

The findings especially the scenarios can guide practitioners when managing configuration processes.

The authors synthesize the literature on MOTS. The theoretical contributions emphasize the social dynamics in configuring this type of software which is an angle that has not been developed in previous literature.

Plant configuration management systems address all phases of the plant’s life cycle, from engineering design, re‐design, maintenance, to operations. However, as yet little research has been reported on plant configuration management information systems analysis. During the past decade, the object‐oriented approach has received much attention in information systems development. This paper describes an object structure for plant configuration management systems analysis. Three major aspects of configuration management (maintenance, re‐design change, and business process) and fundamental types of objects engaged in configuration management are described. The association between these objects is then built through identifying the messages between the objects. Practical application of this framework shows that it is useful for the analysis and design of a plant configuration management information system.

This paper aims to explore the use of the knowledge management (KM) perspective for configuration projects. Configuration projects implement configurators as information technology systems that help companies manage the specification process of customised products. An effective method of retrieving and formalising knowledge for configurators is essential, because it can reduce the risk of unsuccessful implementation and the time and effort required for development. Unfortunately, no standard KM frameworks are available specifically for configuration projects. This study identifies the knowledge necessary for different phases of a configuration project (which knowledge, for what purpose and from what sources), examines how it is transformed during a configuration project (what KM activities and tools are used) and establishes how the knowledge can be documented for future maintenance and updates.

This paper proposes a four-step framework for making the KM process more efficient in configuration projects. The framework is based on the literature, developed in collaboration with industrial partners and tested on four configuration projects in two engineering companies. The framework is a structured KM approach designed to save time for both domain experts and the configuration team. The authors have used a qualitative exploratory design based on multiple data sources: documentation, workshops and participant observation.

The proposed framework comprises four steps: determination of the system’s scope, to establish the project’s goal based on stakeholders’ requirements and prioritise the required products and processes; knowledge acquisition, to classify the knowledge according to the desired output and identify different knowledge sources; modelling and knowledge validation; and documentation and maintenance, to ensure that the KM system can be maintained and updated in the future.

Because the framework is tested on a limited number of cases, its generalisability may be limited. However, focusing on a few case applications allows us to assess the effectiveness of the framework in detail and in depth to identify the practical challenges of applying it. The results of the tests support the framework’s validity. Although the framework is designed mainly for engineering companies, other industries could benefit from using it as well.

The individual steps of the framework create a structured approach for the KM process. Thus, the approach can save both time and resources for companies, without the need for additional investment.

A standard framework is lacking in the literature on KM for configuration projects. This study fills that gap by developing a KM framework for configuration projects, based on KM frameworks developed for IT projects, and KM tools.

Product configurator is a sales and production‐planning tool that helps to transform customer requirements into bills‐of‐materials, lists of features and cost estimations. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a method of how to analyse sales configuration models by using a design structure matrix (DSM) tool. By applying the DSM techniques, the sales configuration managers may sequence the product configuration questions and organize the connection to production.

First, the paper explains a sales configuration system structure from published academic and non‐academic works. These sources employ both theoretical and practical views on the topic of computer‐based sales expert systems. Second, the paper demonstrates an application of using DSM for configuration modelling.

The current sales configuration approaches include constraint‐based, rules‐based, and object‐oriented approaches. Product description methods vary, but the general problem remains the same: the configuration process should be designed in such a way that customer selections do not affect the previous selections. From the user point of view, answering the questions should be smooth and fast. In turn this will lead to the growing importance of building more effective product configuration models. DSM offers a systematic way to organise customer interface in sales configuration systems.

This paper analyses how DSM could help in planning product configuration modelling. Comparison of different sequences is presented. The examples used are hypothetical, but illustrate the suitability of DSM analysis. Companies are trying to establish easily configured product models, which are fast, flexible and cost‐effective for adjustments and modifications. Use of DSM may help in the roll‐out of sales configuration projects. DSM may also be used as a quick view to represent the complexity of product configurability. The future needs for configuration tools will be focused towards product model management from the technical limitations of different data storage approaches.

Configurator software creates product variants, which are logical descriptions of physical products. Variants have parameters which describe the customer‐made selections. The parameter selections may have interconnections between the choices. Some selections may affect further selections and some combinations may not be allowed for incompatibility, cost or safety reasons. There are several commercial software packages available for creating product configurations. Product description methods vary, but the general problem remains the same: the configuration process should be designed in such a way that customer selections do not affect the previous selections. Answering the questions should be smooth and fast. Configuration of complex products, for instance, airplanes, may include several sub‐systems and have various loops within the quotation process. The use of DSM may help in the roll‐out of sales configuration projects. DSM may also be used as a quick view to represent the complexity of product configurability.

The paper helps both researchers and practitioners to obtain a clearer view on the development of sales configuration systems and the potential of systematic DSM‐based product model analysis.

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of Phase 1 of the research and to identify Australian agile software development organizations having such coexistence of agile and software configuration management (SCM) practices. This study employed “organization size” variable to study the phenomenon and used theory of Lean Thinking as a lens to analyse implementation variations of agile and SCM practices.

For this study, the research design was comprised of three phases. In Phase 1, a quantitative study using an online survey was performed to answer RQ using various statistical techniques. In Phase 2, an initial conceptual model based on a literature review was developed, and then a qualitative study was performed using one longitudinal case study. In Phase 3, another online survey was performed using various parametric statistical techniques to validate and generalize the findings of Phase 1 and 2 and the proposed SLAM traceability model. The scope of this paper is to discuss only Phase 1 and its associated findings.

The results of the analysis indicated that organizations, regardless of their size, frequently use agile practices for their software development operations. On the other hand, larger organizations use SCM practices comparatively more than medium and small organizations. However, traces of customized SCM process were found in most of the respondent (large, medium, and small) organizations, which indicates the coexistence of agile and SCM practices.

As there is no known listing or database available for such specialized criteria, a non-probabilistic sampling method was used, in the sense that the selection of members of the sample was arbitrary and subjective instead of a non-random selection from the pool of all agile practitioners in the field.

By using the quantitative method approach, this study aims to generate empirical evidence to contribute to the body of knowledge in the relevant areas. On the practical side, this research can also provide support to IT businesses in general, and software development organizations in particular, with the streamlining of the internal operational environment for the facilitation of an adaptable process and the resulting coexistence of value-added agile and SCM practices.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a three-staged approach to configuration change management that uses a combination of complexity analysis, data visualization, and algorithmic validation to assist in validating configuration changes.

In order to accomplish the above purpose, the authors conducted a review of existing configuration management practices. This was followed by an in-depth case study of the configuration management practices of a major automotive OEM. The primary means of data collection for the case study were interviews, ethnographic study, and document analysis. Based on the results of the case study, a set of support tools is proposed to assist in the configuration management process.

Through the case study, the authors identified that the OEM used a configuration management method that largely represented the rule-based reasoning methods identified in the literature review. In addition, many of the associated challenges are present, primarily, the difficulty in making changes to the rule system and evaluating the changes.

The primary limitation is that the case study was based on a single OEM. However, the results are in line with other practices identified in the literature review. Therefore, it is expected that the findings and recommendations should hold true in other applications.

A set of configuration management tools and associated requirements are identified and defined that could be used to assist companies in the automotive industry, and perhaps others, in managing their option changes as they continue to move towards full mass customization of products.

The proposed approach for configuration management has not been seen in any other organization. The value of this paper is in the effectiveness of the proposed approach in assisting in the configuration change management process.

The quality framework necessary to achieve compliance with the ISO 9000 series of standards is to say the least abstract. It is this very generality which allows ISO 9000 to play the role of the universal quality standard. Aims to help practitioners relate their software process to this framework. Discusses the rationale for, as well as ideas and examples of, software and information system development practices that fit the requirement of ISO 9001 standard and ISO 9000‐3 accompanying the guidelines. Reviews related approaches to software process improvement, defines generic requirements for a quality software process and a template for the context of a software quality improvement programme as a software quality manual.

The functionality and reliability of an overhauled aero-engine is determined by all configuration changes in the overhaul process. Identifying, recording, auditing, tracking and tracing of configuration modifications are significant and meaningful. Considering the barriers to these goals, this paper aims to put forward an approach to configuration management in the aero-engine overhaul process.

The overhaul configuration management model is proposed to describe an aero-engine’s configuration evolution trajectory in the overhaul process. The controlling and auditing procedures are put forward to control and audit parts’ return-to-zero statuses and overproof statuses. And some searching algorithms are also designed to enable tracking and tracing of the configuration status along the time coordinate, or get a snapshot of an aero-engine’s configuration at a certain time. The above model, procedures and algorithms have been implemented and adopted to fulfill the configuration management requirements in the aero-engine overhaul process.

The approach is effective in identifying, recording, controlling, auditing, tracking and tracing configuration changes in the overhaul process.

The approach’s implementation and adoption present a practical example for aero-engines’ configuration management issue in the overhaul process.

The work proposes an original aero-engine configuration management solution for the overhaul process and enables a reliable and accurate configuration management mode.

Details developments at Lockheed Martin using process‐based software configuration management (SCM).

Addresses the research question “how is the discipline of configuration management (CM) practised in the European Aerospace industry?”

Uses a mixed method approach with a questionnaire survey followed by in‐depth interviews.

CM discipline relies on fragmented and diverse processes and its organisational role and contribution are undervalued. Remedying present piecemeal deployment of information technology holds out substantial opportunity for improvement.

This exploratory research focusses on a specific industry and relies mainly on descriptive statistics. Future research could examine other industries or carry out explanatory research on CM systems in aerospace.

Substantial scope for business benefits exists if information technology and people are mobilised to improve CM. The need for effective CM systems in organisations will grow as social and environmental responsibilities increase.

This exploratory study illuminates current practices in aerospace and establishes a datum for future research studies. The below par performance within aerospace indicates that achieving highly performing CM systems is not as simple as existing literature makes out. The increasing importance placed by society on risk means that achieving highly effective CM systems will become more important; both in aerospace and other risk‐critical industries.