IEEE 1042-1987 is the IEEE Guide to Software Configuration Management, a computing standard that addresses how software changes, versions, baselines, and related records are organized and controlled. For teams working in software engineering and other processing environments, it helps define a disciplined approach to keeping development artifacts consistent and traceable. This matters when projects need repeatable control over modifications, clearer approval paths, and dependable records throughout the software lifecycle.

Overview of IEEE 1042-1987

IEEE 1042-1987 focuses on software configuration management practices rather than on code design itself. It is intended to guide how a software product is identified, controlled, audited, and updated as work progresses. In practical terms, the document supports the management of source materials, documentation, and configuration items so that changes can be tracked with less ambiguity. As an inactive IEEE reference, it is most useful when aligning legacy processes or reviewing historical configuration control approaches.

Typical use cases

This guide is commonly relevant in software development organizations that need structured control over releases, maintenance updates, and baseline documentation. It may be used when establishing version control procedures, managing change requests, or coordinating configuration status across engineering and quality teams. The standard can also support environments where software is delivered alongside hardware or embedded systems, and where careful recordkeeping is needed to keep builds, documents, and approved revisions aligned.

Why it matters

Software configuration management reduces the risk of inconsistent builds, undocumented changes, and confusion about what was approved or released. IEEE 1042-1987 matters because it provides a recognized guide for maintaining order across development and maintenance activities, which can improve traceability and support internal control processes. For organizations handling complex software assets, it can help strengthen compliance practices, simplify reviews, and reduce costly errors caused by version drift or incomplete change history.

• Software configuration management guidance
• Version, baseline, and change control
• Configuration records and traceability
• Support for development and maintenance workflows