Change Management in Software Engineering

Change Management in software development refers to the transition from an existing state of the software product to another improved state of the product. It controls, supports, and manages changes to artifacts, such as code changes, process changes, or documentation changes. Where CCP (Change Control Process) mainly identifies, documents, and authorizes changes to a software application.

Each software development process follows Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) where each phase is accordingly followed to finally deliver a good quality software product. Change Management does not come under any phases of SDLC still it has great importance in the entire software development process. There are various types of change management tools that are used for various purposes like to adopt, control, represent, and effect the change required. For example Change management tools for Flow Charting, Project Planning, Data collection, etc.

Process of Change Management:

When any software application/product goes for any changes in an IT environment, it undergoes a series of sequential processes as follows:

• Creating a request for change
• Reviewing and assessing a request for change
• Planning the change
• Testing the change
• Creating a change proposal
• Implementing changes
• Reviewing change performance
• Closing the process

Importance of Change Management:

• For improving performance
• For increasing engagement
• For enhancing innovation
• For including new technologies
• For implementing new requirements
• For reducing cost

Source of Change:

There may be multiple reasons involved during the development process for which certain changes are required to be implemented in the product. These sources are as follows :

• Business reorganization
• New Market conditions
• New equipment
• Fixing any bugs/errors
• New customer needs
• Performance or reliability improvement
• Budgetary or scheduling constraints

Key points to be considered during Change Management:

• Reason of change
• Result of change
• The portion to be changed
• Person will change
• Risks involved in change
• Alternative to change
• Resources required for change
• Relationship between changes