SCM Tools

The selection and usage of SCM (Software Configuration Management) tools often depends on:

• The IDE (Integrated Developer Environment) developers are using
• The process to be supported (Agile, waterfall etc...)
• Other tools that will integrate with the SCM tool (Build, deployment etc...)
• The SCM tool that most users are comfortable with (ease of use)

I have found that most organisations have still not achieved a certain level of maturity to make use of all the features in most "all-inclusive" tool offerings and basic SCM tools are usually sufficent as a starting point.

Once the majority of developers are on a standard tool, it is then simpler to build on the concept of a central SCM Service and begin adding processes and validation checkpoints.

There are many basic SCM tools on the market which are not overly complex to use some of the common ones include:

• PVCS
• CVS
• SubVersion

These tools are an excellent starting point, though I would recommend (as with the selection of any tool) conducting a pilot to ensure that all your needs, wants & must haves are met.

More complex tools include:

Serena Dimensions and
Rational Clear Case

These tools include workflow management options as well as ability to create custom attributes for different types of configuration items as well as inbuilt build & release management, release baselines, work and change request management & detailed reporting of changes to the repository items.