{"id":105,"date":"2026-10-12T06:51:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scmgalaxy.com\/tutorials\/2009\/01\/13\/the-minimum-features-for-scm-tools\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T06:51:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:51:48","slug":"the-minimum-features-for-scm-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/the-minimum-features-for-scm-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"SCM Tool Selection: Minimum Features, Evaluation Workflow, and Example Scorecard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Originally published on 2009-01-13; fully revised and updated.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide is for engineering managers, release managers, DevOps teams, and architects who need to evaluate Software Configuration Management (SCM) tools in a disciplined way. You will learn the minimum capabilities to require, how to run a technical-first selection workflow, and how to apply a scorecard approach before bringing cost into the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img src='https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/features-for-scm-tools.png' alt='features-for-scm-tools' \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minimum features every SCM tool should support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original article emphasized that SCM tools must support both <strong>code and non-code delivery artifacts<\/strong> across a shared team environment. The baseline feature set below preserves that intent and is still a strong foundation for evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class='wp-block-list'>\n<li>Multiuser support<\/li>\n<li>Intuitive GUI<\/li>\n<li>Conformity to the organization\u2019s development environment<\/li>\n<li>Scalability<\/li>\n<li>Flexibility to integrate with other development tools<\/li>\n<li>Ease of setup<\/li>\n<li>Modifiable models<\/li>\n<li>Process management<\/li>\n<li>Extensive support for the development phase<\/li>\n<li>Management of nondevelopment objects<\/li>\n<li>Permission management<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Feature-by-feature evaluation checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use this checklist to turn broad requirements into concrete evaluation questions for pilots and proofs of concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class='wp-block-table'><table class='has-fixed-layout'><thead><tr><th>Capability<\/th><th>Minimum expectation<\/th><th>What to verify during evaluation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Multiuser support<\/td><td>Controlled parallel work in a shared repository<\/td><td>Branching, locking strategy, merge conflict handling, concurrent access stability<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Intuitive GUI<\/td><td>Usable by developers and non-developers<\/td><td>Onboarding effort, day-to-day usability, visibility for QA and PM roles<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Environment conformity<\/td><td>Fits existing platforms and network model<\/td><td>Client and server OS compatibility, authentication model, network constraints<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Scalability<\/td><td>Works for both small and large projects<\/td><td>Repository growth handling, team-size scaling, performance under load<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tool integration<\/td><td>Interoperates with build, test, and issue workflows<\/td><td>Native integrations, API coverage, automation support<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ease of setup<\/td><td>Can be installed and used quickly<\/td><td>Initial install time, default templates, migration complexity<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Modifiable models<\/td><td>Models are extensible for local process needs<\/td><td>Custom object types, role model changes, lifecycle customization<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Process management<\/td><td>Supports lifecycle and promotion controls<\/td><td>State transitions, approvals, policy enforcement, auditability<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Development-phase support<\/td><td>Handles frequent checkout and update cycles well<\/td><td>Developer workflow friction, update detection, check-in quality gates<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nondevelopment objects<\/td><td>Manages documents and release artifacts, not only code<\/td><td>Versioning for specs, test artifacts, and release documentation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Permission management<\/td><td>Granular access control to protect integration stability<\/td><td>Role-based access control, path-level permissions, admin delegation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommended SCM selection workflow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original post recommended making the <strong>technical decision first<\/strong>, then evaluating cost. This workflow operationalizes that approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class='mermaid'>\nflowchart TD\n    A[Define project artifacts] --> B[Set mandatory SCM capabilities]\n    B --> C[Create long list of tools]\n    C --> D[Run pilot on real workflow]\n    D --> E[Score tools with weighted criteria]\n    E --> F{Technical fit acceptable}\n    F -- no --> G[Drop tool]\n    F -- yes --> H[Estimate lifecycle cost]\n    H --> I[Finalize shortlist and selection]\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historical market scan and scorecard from the original post<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The source article included a large market list and then narrowed to four commercial candidates for scoring. The tables below preserve that historical example as reference context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Selected tools from the original candidate list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class='wp-block-table'><table class='has-fixed-layout'><thead><tr><th>Name of tool<\/th><th>Description and company<\/th><th>Internet address (as listed)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>AllChange 2000 SE<\/td><td>IntaSoft<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.intasoft.net\/'>http:\/\/www.intasoft.net\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>ClearCase<\/td><td>Rational (formerly PureAtria)<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.rational.com\/products\/clearcase'>http:\/\/www.rational.com\/products\/clearcase<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Continuus<\/td><td>Continuus<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.continuus.com\/'>http:\/\/www.continuus.com\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Endevor<\/td><td>Computer Associates<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.cai.com\/products\/endevor_ws.htm'>http:\/\/www.cai.com\/products\/endevor_ws.htm<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perforce<\/td><td>Perforce Software<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.perforce.com\/'>http:\/\/www.perforce.com\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PVCS<\/td><td>MERANT<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.merant.com\/products\/pvcs\/'>http:\/\/www.merant.com\/products\/pvcs\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>StarTeam<\/td><td>StarBase<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.starbase.com\/products\/starteam\/'>http:\/\/www.starbase.com\/products\/starteam\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>TeamSite<\/td><td>Interwoven<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.interwoven.com'>http:\/\/www.interwoven.com<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Visual Source Safe<\/td><td>Microsoft Corp. (PC) \/ Metrowerks (Macintosh)<\/td><td><a href='http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/ssafe\/'>http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/ssafe\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SEI-style ranking example used in the original article<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Source attribution in the original text: <em>SEI, from Configuration Management Plans: The Beginning to your CM Solution<\/em>. The scores below are preserved from that example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class='wp-block-table'><table class='has-fixed-layout'><thead><tr><th>Criterion<\/th><th>PCMS<\/th><th>ClearCase<\/th><th>Continuus\/CM<\/th><th>PVCS<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Multiuser support<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Intuitive GUI<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Environment conformity<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Scalability<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Flexibility in integrating other software development tools<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ease of setup<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Modifiable models<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Process management<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Development phase support<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nondevelopment objects<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Total<\/td><td>36<\/td><td>35<\/td><td>34<\/td><td>30<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Original rating scale: 5 = Excellent; 4 = Good; 3 = Fair; 2 = Unsatisfactory; 1 = Unknown. The original narrative then dropped PVCS from the first technical pass and recommended cost analysis only after technical fit was established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original article also noted that in Microsoft-centric environments, Visual Source Safe was often used as part of the suite, and it suggested evaluating WinCVS when cross-platform delivery to Linux or Unix was required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reusable scoring template for your team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use a simple structured file to keep scoring transparent and reviewable across teams.<\/p>\n\n\n<pre class='wp-block-code' aria-describedby=\"shcb-language-1\" data-shcb-language-name=\"JavaScript\" data-shcb-language-slug=\"javascript\"><span><code class=\"hljs language-javascript\" class='language-yaml'>selection_criteria:\n  - name: multiuser_support\n    <span class=\"hljs-attr\">weight<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">5<\/span>\n  - name: environment_conformity\n    <span class=\"hljs-attr\">weight<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">5<\/span>\n  - name: process_management\n    <span class=\"hljs-attr\">weight<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n  - name: integration_flexibility\n    <span class=\"hljs-attr\">weight<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n  - name: permission_management\n    <span class=\"hljs-attr\">weight<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">5<\/span>\n\n<span class=\"hljs-attr\">candidates<\/span>:\n  - name: tool_a\n    <span class=\"hljs-attr\">scores<\/span>:\n      multiuser_support: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">environment_conformity<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">3<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">process_management<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">integration_flexibility<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">3<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">permission_management<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n  - name: tool_b\n    <span class=\"hljs-attr\">scores<\/span>:\n      multiuser_support: <span class=\"hljs-number\">3<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">environment_conformity<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">process_management<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">3<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">integration_flexibility<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n      <span class=\"hljs-attr\">permission_management<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-number\">4<\/span>\n\n<span class=\"hljs-attr\">decision_policy<\/span>:\n  minimum_technical_average: <span class=\"hljs-number\">3<\/span>\n  <span class=\"hljs-attr\">evaluate_cost_after_technical_gate<\/span>: <span class=\"hljs-literal\">true<\/span><\/code><\/span><small class=\"shcb-language\" id=\"shcb-language-1\"><span class=\"shcb-language__label\">Code language:<\/span> <span class=\"shcb-language__name\">JavaScript<\/span> <span class=\"shcb-language__paren\">(<\/span><span class=\"shcb-language__slug\">javascript<\/span><span class=\"shcb-language__paren\">)<\/span><\/small><\/pre>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class='wp-block-list'>\n<li>Define mandatory capabilities before you compare products.<\/li>\n<li>Pilot tools using your real branch, merge, release, and approval workflow.<\/li>\n<li>Score with explicit criteria and documented weights.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate lifecycle cost only after technical suitability is clear.<\/li>\n<li>Include non-code artifacts and access governance in scope from day one.<\/li>\n<li>Treat historical vendor rankings as context, not current market truth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choosing an SCM tool is a technical governance decision, not just a procurement task. This guide turns the original checklist into a practical framework you can use to evaluate, score, and shortlist tools with confidence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3970,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[2924,296,2922,2926,397,2619,2925,2923,2927,2435,1023,311],"class_list":["post-105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-testing-tools","tag-basic-features","tag-features","tag-minimum-features-for-scm-tool","tag-must-have-features-in-scm-tools","tag-scm","tag-scm-tools","tag-scm-tools-essential-features","tag-scm-tools-features","tag-scm-tools-minimum-features-requirements","tag-software-configuration-management","tag-software-development","tag-tools"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78930,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105\/revisions\/78930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}