9.4. The Configuration Status Report: CSR
The CSR form is first used to report configuration status after the SRS document has been
developed, inspected, and baselined. This is done in the requirements phase. The SRS will be the
first product to be baselined. Until it is, there is nothing to report on the CSR form.
Things to Check: CSR Form
The principal thing to check is that the team has baselined the SRS document and that the support
manager has recorded the number of text pages. Thereafter, check each week to make sure that all
appropriate new items were added when they were completed and inspected. This would be the
SDS at the end of the design phase and all the source code at the end of implementation. In
addition, make sure that all changes to baselined products are approved with a CCR, that the
proper INS forms are attached to the CCR, and that all changes are reported on the CSR.
Interpreting the Data: CSR Form
For the modest-sized TSPi projects, you will not generally be able to draw much useful
information from the CSR reports. With larger projects, the CSR data can indicate when the
requirements have settled down and when a product is stabilizing in integration or system test.
These data can also show code growth during implementation as well as the decline of change
activity as testing nears completion. These analyses, however, require trend data over an extended
period. With TSPi, there is not enough time to get trend data. You can look at the volume of test
defects and compare the results among teams or development cycles, but because the test phase
will takes one week or less, there will be not be weekly trend data.
Common Reporting Mistakes: CSR Form
The principal mistakes are that teams either do not baseline all their products or they do not
properly track their configuration and change activity and status.
General Comments: CSR Form
Again, for the small TSPi products, the software configuration management process need not be
overly formal. The students should recognize that the CCR process is a mechanism to ensure
proper consideration of every change. Teams need to learn to manage all their baseline changes,
not only to control the projects but also to maintain control of quality from the beginning of the
job.