The SAM Application of Standard Life Cycle Processes

In this section of the standard, lifecycle processes that are not specific to software are identified. The standard relates the processes to SAM and presents the application of the process to software asset management. The lifecycle processes identified are:

• Change management
• Acquisition
• Software development
• Software release management
• Software deployment
• Incident management
• Problem management
• Retirement

Coordination with these external processes assures achievement of the control and documentation of software. Points of particular interest include:

• Standard software configurations are required as part of the Acquisition process
• Verification for authenticity for licenses is highlighted
• Controlled acceptance testing is required, although the details of that process are not specified in 19770
• Software deployment requires a back out procedure
• Problem resolution reflects prioritization and analysis of underlying causes
• Removal of unlicensed software from use is not considered a resolution to a licensing shortfall problem as an obligation is created through use