This military handbook provides guidance and best practices on how Program Managers (PM), systems engineers, logistics managers, and other individuals assigned responsibility for Configuration Management (CM) perform and contract for CM. Its purpose is to provide for guidance in planning and implementing effective Department of Defense (DoD) CM activities and practices during the life cycle of the defense systems. This handbook is intended to cover the DoD specific management activities related to acquisition and sustainment throughout the system’s lifecycle. This handbook is for guidance only and cannot be cited as a requirement.