Ensure that a proper balance of control and support is tailored to each program that is supported. Ensure the SCM function is flexible and can accommodate changing needs and requirements of developers, customers, the program, and the company. The SCM task has not changed much during the last 20 to 30 years. More significant impacts to SCM have centered on automated tools and the library systems upon which they operate. The tools have progressed from version control and semiautomatic build operations to systems that can establish and monitor the entire software development and production environment.
Tools are more sophisticated and suppliers more numerous.
Not long ago it was a somewhat simple matter for SCM to determine the best tool for the job. But in today's market, new issues have to be addressed before a decision is made. It is becoming increasingly important for representatives from each department within engineering organizations to consider, evaluate, and weigh their requirements against capabilities of various available tools. SCM automated tools available today, and those on drawing boards, are much more versatile than their forerunners. It is largely due to the fact that the SCM operating environment is still evolving.