This glossary serves as a quick reference to essential terms and concepts in configuration management and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). Understanding these terms is crucial for professionals aiming to master the art and skill of configuration systems.

A

Acceptance Testing: A testing phase to determine whether a system meets the specified requirements for delivery.
Agile Methodology: An iterative approach to project management and software development that promotes flexibility and customer collaboration.
Airworthiness: The measure of an aircraft’s suitability for safe flight, determined by its compliance with design and maintenance standards.
AMOS: Aviation Maintenance & Engineering System. A comprehensive software solution designed to manage various aspects of aircraft maintenance.
ANSI/EIA-649: A national consensus standard for configuration management, providing requirements and guidance for CM processes across industries.
Ansible: An open-source configuration management tool known for its agentless architecture, simple syntax, and ease of use.
Asset Management: The systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and selling assets effectively.
Automation: The use of technology to automate repetitive tasks and processes, improving efficiency, accuracy, and reducing the potential for human errors.

B

Baseline: A formally accepted version of a configuration item, serving as a reference point for future development and changes.
Baseline Configuration: A set of specifications for a system or configuration item (CI) that has been formally reviewed and agreed upon.
Best practices: Recommended guidelines and procedures for achieving optimal results and minimizing risks.
Bill of Materials (BOM): A comprehensive list of parts, items, assemblies, and other materials required to create a product.

C

Case study: A detailed analysis of a specific instance or project, often used to illustrate the benefits and challenges of a particular approach or technology.
Cathodic Protection: An electrochemical technique used to prevent corrosion by making the protected metal (the helicopter) the cathode of an electrochemical cell.
Change Control Board (CCB): A group of individuals responsible for reviewing and approving changes to the configuration items.
Change Management: The process of managing all changes to the configuration items in a systematic manner.
Chef: A configuration management tool based on the concept of “infrastructure as code,” allowing users to manage IT infrastructure using code and automate deployment and configuration tasks.
Cloud-based hosting: Software and data are stored and accessed remotely via the internet, offering flexibility and scalability.
Compliance: Adhering to established rules, regulations, and industry standards.
Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS): Software designed to manage maintenance operations, including work orders, asset tracking, inventory management, and reporting.
Configuration: The process of setting up and customizing software to function according to desired specifications.
Configuration Audit: A review to verify that the configuration items conform to their required physical and functional attributes.
Configuration Baseline: A documented snapshot of the desired state of a system or component, used as a reference point for managing changes and ensuring consistency.
Configuration Control: The process of controlling changes to the configuration items to maintain integrity and traceability.
Configuration Drift: The gradual divergence of a system’s configuration from its intended state over time, often due to unmanaged changes, leading to potential issues and inconsistencies.
Configuration Identification: The process of selecting and defining the configuration items within a system and establishing their unique identity.
Configuration Item (CI): Any component that needs to be managed in order to deliver an IT service.
Configuration Management (CM): A process for establishing and maintaining consistency of a product’s performance, functional, and physical attributes.
Configuration Management Database (CMDB): A repository that acts as a data warehouse for information technology installations. It’s a centralized repository for storing and managing information about all IT assets within an organization, including hardware, software, network components, and their relationships.
Configuration Management Plan (CMP): A document that outlines the CM processes, procedures, and responsibilities for a specific project or organization.
Configuration Verification and Audit: The process of ensuring that the configuration items meet the specified requirements and that the documentation accurately reflects the system’s configuration.
Configuration Status Accounting: The recording and reporting of information needed to manage a configuration effectively.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): A practice in software engineering that merges all developers’ working copies to a shared mainline several times a day.
Continuous learning: Ongoing professional development that helps individuals and teams stay updated on new technologies, processes, and best practices.
Corrosion: The deterioration of a material, usually a metal, due to chemical reactions with its environment, often involving oxygen and moisture.
Cultural sensitivity: Awareness and understanding of different cultures and their impact on communication, behavior, and work styles.
Customization: The ability to modify software settings and features to meet specific user requirements.

D

Database: An organized collection of data, typically stored and accessed electronically.
Data Management: The process of ingesting, storing, organizing, and maintaining data created and collected by an organization.
Defect Tracking: A system that keeps track of reported software bugs in software development projects.
DevOps: A set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the system development life cycle.
Diagnostic: The process of identifying the cause of a problem or malfunction, often used in the context of engine performance analysis.
Downtime: The period when a helicopter is unavailable for operation due to maintenance, repairs, or inspections.

E

Engineering Change Proposal (ECP): A proposal for a change to the system, often involving design modifications.

F

Fleet availability: The percentage of time an aircraft fleet is operational and available for scheduled flights.
Functional Configuration Audit (FCA): An audit conducted to verify that the development of a configuration item has been completed satisfactorily.

G

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): European Union regulation that sets guidelines for collecting, storing, and processing personal data.
Governance: The framework of rules and practices by which a board of directors ensures accountability, fairness, and transparency.

H

Helicopter Integrated Diagnostic System (HIDS): A computerized system used to monitor the health and performance of a helicopter’s engine and other critical systems.
Helisoft: A specialized software program designed for managing helicopter maintenance activities.

I

Information Technology Infrastructure Library: a framework providing best practices for IT service management, including guidelines for configuration management.
Integrated Logistics Support (ILS): A management and technical process to integrate all support aspects during the life cycle of a system.
Integration: The process of connecting different software systems to enable seamless data exchange and collaboration.
ISO 10007: An international standard that provides guidelines for configuration management within the framework of quality management systems.

K

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Quantifiable measurements that reflect the critical success factors of an organization.

L

Lean Thinking: A management philosophy focused on maximizing value while minimizing waste in processes, often applied to improve maintenance efficiency.
Lifecycle Management: The management of a product’s entire lifecycle from inception, through engineering design and manufacturing, to service and disposal.

M

Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO): The fixing of any sort of mechanical, plumbing, or electrical device should it become out of order.
Metadata: Data that provides information about other data.
Mobile technology: The use of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices to access and manage maintenance information remotely.

N

Neural Network Method: A type of artificial intelligence that can be used to analyze complex data patterns, such as those related to engine performance, to predict potential failures.

O

On-premises hosting: Software and data are stored and managed on company servers, providing more control over data security.
Operational Readiness: The state of being prepared to perform the intended operational functions.
Overhaul: A major maintenance procedure that involves disassembling and inspecting components, replacing worn parts, and restoring the helicopter to its original operating condition.

P

Performance-Based Logistics (PBL): A strategy for system support that employs long-term performance agreements with clear lines of authority and responsibility.
Physical Configuration Audit (PCA): An audit to verify that the CI’s physical attributes match the documented configuration.
Predictive Maintenance: A maintenance strategy that uses data analysis and monitoring to predict potential failures before they occur, allowing for proactive maintenance scheduling.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): The process of managing the entire lifecycle of a product from inception to disposal.
Puppet: A widely used configuration management tool that employs a declarative language and a client-server model for managing complex, large-scale IT environments.

Q

Quality Assurance (QA): A way of preventing mistakes and defects in manufactured products and avoiding problems when delivering solutions or services.
Quality Control (QC): A process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production.

R

Regression Testing: A type of software testing that ensures that previously developed and tested software still performs after a change.
Release Management: The process of managing, planning, scheduling, and controlling a software build through different stages.
Return on Investment (ROI): A metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment by measuring the financial gains relative to the initial cost.
Risk Management: The identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated application of resources.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): A security approach that restricts system access based on predefined user roles and responsibilities.

S

Sacrificial Anode: A piece of metal, usually zinc or aluminum, that is intentionally corroded to protect a more critical metal component from corrosion.
Scalability: The capacity of a software system to handle increasing workloads and data volumes as an organization grows.
Scheduled Maintenance: Routine maintenance tasks performed at predetermined intervals to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of the helicopter.
Software Configuration Management (SCM): The task of tracking and controlling changes in the software.
Stakeholder: Any individual or group that has an interest in or is affected by the configuration management process, such as customers, suppliers, developers, and management.
Supply Chain Management (SCM): The management of the flow of goods and services.
Sustainment: The provision of logistics and personnel services required to maintain and prolong operations.

T

Technical Data Package (TDP): A set of drawings or other data that provides the technical information necessary to define a configuration item’s configuration and support.
Troubleshooting: The process of identifying, diagnosing, and resolving technical problems.

U

Unified Modeling Language (UML): A standardized modeling language in software engineering.
Unscheduled Maintenance: Maintenance tasks performed in response to unexpected issues or failures, often requiring immediate attention.
User interface: The visual layout and interactive elements of a software application that users interact with.

V

Validation: The process of checking whether the product meets the needs and expectations of the customer.
Verification: The process of evaluating work-products to determine whether they meet the specified requirements.

W

Workflow Management: The coordination of tasks that make up the work an organization does.

Terms Specific to Advanced Technologies

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think like humans.
Blockchain: A system in which a record of transactions is maintained across several computers linked in a peer-to-peer network.
Internet of Things (IoT): The interconnection via the internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects.
Machine Learning (ML): A type of AI that allows software applications to become more accurate in predicting outcomes without being explicitly programmed.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CCB: Change Control Board
CI: Configuration Item
CM: Configuration Management
CMDB: Configuration Management Database
CMMS: Computerized Maintenance Management System
CM Plan: Configuration Management Plan
ECP: Engineering Change Proposal
FCA: Functional Configuration Audit
GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation
HIDS: Helicopter Integrated Diagnostic System
ITIL: Information Technology Infrastructure Library
ILS: Integrated Logistics Support
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
KPI: Key Performance Indicator
MRO: Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul
PBL: Performance-Based Logistics
PLM: Product Lifecycle Management
QA: Quality Assurance
QC: Quality Control
RBAC: Role-Based Access Control
SCM: Software Configuration Management
SCM (Supply Chain): Supply Chain Management
TDP: Technical Data Package
UML: Unified Modeling Language

Concepts in Agile and DevOps

Backlog: A prioritized list of features or tasks to be completed in a project.
Continuous Delivery: The practice of delivering software in such a way that it can be released to production at any time.
Scrum: An agile process framework for managing complex knowledge work.
Sprint: A set period during which specific work has to be completed and made ready for review.

General Terms

Baseline: A reference point in the software development life cycle marked by the completion and formal approval of a set of predefined work products.
Best Practices: Commercial or professional procedures that are accepted or prescribed as being correct or most effective.
Change Request: A formal proposal for an alteration to some product or system.
Compliance: The state of being in accordance with established guidelines or specifications.
Stakeholder: A person with an interest or concern in something, especially a business.

Important Standards and Frameworks

ANSI/EIA-649: National consensus standard that establishes the principles and requirements for configuration management.
CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration): A process level improvement training and appraisal program.
ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library): A set of detailed practices for IT service management.

Data and Analytics Terms

Big Data: Extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations.
Data Mining: The practice of examining large databases in order to generate new information.
Predictive Analytics: The use of data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning techniques to identify the likelihood of future outcomes.

Security and Compliance

Cybersecurity: The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.
Encryption: The process of converting information or data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): A legal framework that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information.

Maintenance and Support

Corrective Maintenance: Maintenance performed to identify, isolate, and rectify a fault.
Preventive Maintenance: Maintenance that is regularly performed to lessen the likelihood of failure.

Environmental and Sustainability Terms

Green Logistics: Efforts to measure and minimize the environmental impact of logistics activities.
Sustainable Development: Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.

Miscellaneous

Benchmarking: Comparing one’s business processes and performance metrics to industry bests.
ROI (Return on Investment): A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment.

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Glossary of Configuration Management and ILS Terms

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

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N

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