配置管理（CM）是软件工程生命周期的核心过程。CM已在ISO/IEC 12207:2008、《信息技术-软件生命周期过程》和ISO/IEC 15288:2008《信息技术-系统生命周期过程》中被确立为ISO/IEC标准生命周期过程。 ISO/IEC 12207:2008和ISO/IEC 15288:2008描述了获取或开发软件时要执行的一整套过程、活动和任务。然而，这些文件并未说明构型管理工具用户为支持构型管理过程和其他软件工程生命周期活动而期望从工具中获得的能力。构型管理过程描述和相应的构型管理过程自动化服务之间存在差距，这会影响工具用户和工具供应商。 ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010提供了采购过程中CM工具评估和选择的指南。潜在用户对CM工具的评估可能复杂、耗时且昂贵。ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010有助于描述构型管理工具在构型管理过程中能做什么和不能做什么。 ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010为工具制造商提供了实施最低能力集的指南。ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010中定义的能力与ISO/IEC 12207:2008和ISO/IEC 15288:2008相关联，并将为工具制造商提供工具应支持的特性指南，以满足这些国际标准。

Configuration management (CM) is a process central to the software engineering life cycle. CM has been established as an ISO/IEC standard life cycle process in ISO/IEC 12207:2008, Information technology — Software life cycle processes and ISO/IEC 15288: 2008, Information technology — System life cycle processes. ISO/IEC 12207:2008 and ISO/IEC 15288:2008 describe a comprehensive set of processes, activities and tasks to be performed when acquiring or developing software. However, these documents do not address the capabilities that a CM tool user can expect from a tool in order to support the CM process and other software engineering life cycle activities. There is a gap between CM process descriptions and corresponding CM process automation services which affects both tool users and tool suppliers. ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010 provides guidance in the evaluation and selection for CM tools during acquisition. CM tool evaluation by prospective users can be complex, time consuming, and expensive. ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010 helps to characterize what a CM tool can and cannot do in the CM process. ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010 provides guidance for tool manufacturers in implementing a minimum set of capabilities. The capabilities defined in ISO/IEC TR 18018:2010 are linked to ISO/IEC 12207:2008 and ISO/IEC 15288:2008, and will provide tool manufacturers with guidance on the characteristics their tools should support to meet these International Standards.