GOES-R AIT: Configuration Management

Configuration Management (CM) is a discipline for ensuring the integrity of a product and to make its evolution more manageable. Configuration Items (CIs) are aggregations of data documentation, software and hardware that are designated for configuration management. CM supports routine algorithms integration work for the Algorithm Integration Team (AIT) by identifying, controlling, maintaining and verifying all relevant versions of CIs. AIT CM is also responsible for design, development and implementation of the tools associated with tracking CIs and defining the change process.

AIT utilizes CM using IBM Rational ClearCase and ClearQuest and adopts ClearCase Unified Change Management (UCM) approach for GOES-R project. Naming conventions are adopted for ClearCase Stream, View and Baseline to identify development/integration stream/view, and internal/release baseline. Branches are used to enable parallel development in project. With branching strategy, developers from both AIT and science teams are able to create private development branch to access project associated software, data and documentation. For science teams without access to ClearCase, AIT assists to integrate all corresponding algorithms updates into ClearCase and verify the changes. The current AIT CM Lifecycle and Methodology will be discussed along with considerations for future approaches.