Bob Aiello - June 2002

Integrating Software Configuration and Release Management systems with other tools can be very challenging. Many vendors claim that their CM tools “integrate seamlessly” with Requirements Tracking Systems, Defect Tracking, and IDEs. It has been this author’s experience that these “integrations” are often limited at best. Nonetheless, it is important to leverage these tools as well as automated test tools, application deployment, and workflow management systems wherever possible. The CM practitioner may find it difficult to understand where to focus efforts to integrate CM tools in a large organization with competing demands and shifting priorities. In today’s challenging business environment we are all being asked to do more with less resources than ever before. This can create difficult challenges and pressures for the CM practitioner.