What is source control?
Source control, also known as version control software, supports your change management process by tracking and managing updates to your code and configuration files over time. This is the central hub where all your critical system information lives safely and in order such as PLC programs, SCADA configurations, smart devices, and other important documentation that define how your system is built and maintained.
When hardware fails, having the latest configuration files readily available lets you restore your system quickly and securely. The source control is a crucial part of your cybersecurity defense, ensuring that only verified configurations are used to bring your system back online.
Change management planning
While source control tracks and safeguards your files, change management dictates the policies and procedures that guide the changes that happen. A solid change management plan is your insurance against messy, rushed fixes that cause issues down the road. When everyone follows the process for making and recording changes, your system stays reliable and easy to understand.
Here is what a change management plan should include:
- A clear approval process: Determine who must authorize each change before it is implemented. Typically, this involves technical experts who understand the system and managers responsible for operations. Without clear approvals, changes can happen too quickly or without enough oversight.
- Go/no-go decision points: Have specific checkpoints where readiness is evaluated, allowing you to decide whether to proceed, delay, or cancel the change based on testing results or other factors
- Validation and testing procedures: Changes should be tested in a safe environment that mimics your live system. Validation ensures the change works as expected and doesn’t introduce new issues. Testing prevents costly downtime or security vulnerabilities.
- Step-by-step instructions: Guide how changes will be made, such as backup plans and rollback procedures in case something goes wrong.
- Documented changes: Record why it was changed, who made the change, and when it occurred, since an accurate history streamlines troubleshooting and auditing.
- Access control: Policies must limit who can make changes, reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorized updates and ensuring that only trained personnel have write access to critical systems.
- Communications procedure: Ensure that everyone affected by the change knows what is happening and when, so teams can prepare appropriately and avoid surprises.
When building the plan, ask yourself these questions:
- Who is authorized to request, approve, and implement changes?
- What is the exact process for making a change, from request through testing to deployment?
- What criteria define a successful change versus one that needs to be stopped or reversed?
- Where will changes be documented and tracked?
- When can changes be made to minimize disruption to operations?
- Why is following this plan important for system reliability and security?
- How will changes be tested, validated, and rolled back if necessary?
Discussing and establishing standards through hardware selection or change management is critical to ensure a well-maintained system running smoothly for years.
Find the right consultant
Enterprise Automation has a highly qualified team with a history of creating and implementing change control procedures, as well as educating management and operations teams to sustain functional source control systems.
We are a trusted partner for all phases of control systems integration. As a company, we have been recognized as:
- AVEVA Endorsed System Integrator Partner
- Schneider Electric Master Alliance System Integrator
- Schneider Electric PlantStruxure certified Alliance integration partner
- Schneider Electric SCADA certified Alliance integration partner
- CSIA Certified
- Automation Alliance Group partner
Our team is well-equipped and highly qualified to provide expert advice to clients. Our staff includes:
- Licensed engineers in California and Arizona
- Certified Project Management Professionals
- AVEVA Application Server, Historian Client, Historian Server, InTouch, Plant SCADA, and Reports certified professionals
- EcoStruxure Control Expert, EcoStruxure Plant, EcoStruxure Automation Expert, and EcoStruxure Process Expert certified professionals
- Rockwell Automation certified professionals
- Ignition certified professionals
- VTSCADA certified professionals
- TwinThread certified practitioners
- Water treatment and water distribution operator-certified professionals
Specifications
Type
Expertise Services
Industries
Life Sciences
Water & Wastewater
Services Regions
North America
Expertise Services
Consulting Services
Engineering Services
Integration Services
Support Services
Other Certifications
CSIA Certification
Developer Product Certifications
Historian
System Platform
Historian Client
InTouch
Citect SCADA
InBatch
Languages
English
Enterprise Automation
Enterprise Automation is a full-service integration and automation consulting firm with over 25 years of experience serving a variety of process-driven industries, including water and wastewater, oil and gas, life sciences, materials handling, and traditional and renewable energy.
We believe delivering the best projects and solutions goes beyond just technical ability. Our exceptional project and risk management sets us apart. Clients rely on us because they can expect faster time to production, more uptime, and less wasted effort and cost during construction.
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