Process Based Mission Assurance (PBMA) Knowledge Management System (KMS)

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1.0 Program Management
    1.4 Program Management Program Control
        1.4.1 Implement Configuration Management System
            1.4.1.1 Establish Control Boards
            1.4.1.2 Change Management System
            1.4.1.3 Waiver and Deviation Process

1.4.1 Implement Configuration Management System

Development of the overall Configuration Management Plan is discussed in PBMA Section 1.2.6, Develop Configuration Management Plan. As the program control functions are put in place, two key aspects of the configuration management process include establishing Control Boards and the Change Management System.

See the following examples of configuration management systems from the PBMA Best Practices:

Configuration Management Handbook - International Space Station Alpha Program

1.4.1.1 Establish Control Boards

Configuration control is the process of controlling changes to any approved baseline by formal action of a configuration control board (CCB). Typically, a CCB meets to consider change requests to the business or technical baseline of the program/project. Once a baseline is placed under configuration control, any change requires the approval of the CCB.

Control Board References:

Section 4.7.2 of the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook SP-610S.
Section 10.2 of Defense Systems Management College Systems Engineering Fundamentals text.

1.4.1.2 Change Management System

Refer to PBMA Section 1.2.6, Develop Configuration Management Plan Develop Configuration Management Plan.

1.4.1.3 Waiver and Deviation Process

Requests for deviation and waivers relate to a temporary baseline departure that can affect system design and/or performance. The baseline remains unchanged and the government makes a determination whether the alternative "non-conforming" configuration results in an acceptable substitute.

Variance: Documented and approved permission to perform some act or operation contrary to established requirements.

Waiver: A variance that authorizes departure from a specific safety requirement where a special level of risk has been documented and accepted.

Deviation: A documented variance that authorizes departure from a particular safety requirement that does not strictly apply or where the intent of the requirement is being met through alternate means that provide an equivalent level of safety with no additional risk.

Program managers have the responsibility to ensure that all waivers and deviations within their program are properly identified, reviewed, and dispositioned by an appropriately authorized individual, board, or panel.

As described in Section 1.19 of Chapter 5, NPR 8715.3, Nuclear Safety for Launching of Radioactive Materials,

"The primary objective of the NASA safety variance policy is to define the roles of Headquarters, Centers, program managers, and safety personnel in such a way that Headquarters will maintain control over the requirements it sets while providing the Centers and program managers with the responsibility and freedom to accept risks necessary to accomplish their tasks. This is consistent with an ISO 9001 requirement of maintaining process control of services that an organization provides. It is NASA's preference to comply with requirements through an abatement process. Where this is impossible for whatever reason, then a variance may be considered."

Waiver and Deviation References:

Section 10.2 of Defense Systems Management College Systems Engineering Fundamentals text.

PBMA Video Nuggets on This Subject:

* Useful information and assistance before you view movies

	Establishing Control Boards Video :: Transcript
	Ron Dittemore Director, Space Shuttle Program (JSC)
Video Running Time -- 2:44

last modifed: Sep 12 2005 1:04PM

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