Strategies to Mitigate Configuration Differences in Software Development: A Rapid Review of Grey Literature
Marcos Nazário, Rodrigo Bonifácio, Cleidson R. B. de Souza, Fernando Kamei, Gustavo Pinto · Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development · 2025
Context: Configuration differences between development and production environments can lead to system failures, data loss, and security vulnerabilities. Practitioners have acknowledged the need to handle these differences. This study aims to provide insights and best practices for mitigating configuration differences between development and production environments in software development through a rapid review (RR) of Grey Literature (GL). Methods: The research method for data collection involves a Rapid Review of the GL. It also employs a thematic analysis to understand the collected data. Results: The study identified nine strategies that help practitioners to mitigate configuration differences between development and production environments, including credentials of access. Examples of these strategies include Automated Deployment Pipeline, Configuration Management Plan (CMP), and PaaS Deployment. We also provide insights into how these strategies contribute to reducing the risk of configuration-related issues and ensuring the smooth and reliable operation of software systems. Additionally, it suggests potential cost-saving methods for mitigating configuration differences. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the strategies employed to mitigate the risks associated with managing configuration differences in software development projects. By delivering practical guidance and insights, this study has the potential to help IT operations and software development projects to have a deeper comprehension of software configuration management strategies and best practices.