Configuration management is a systematic approach to maintaining the consistency of a system's performance and functionality over time. It involves identifying, organizing, and controlling changes to the system's components, ensuring that all parts work together effectively. This process is crucial in fields like software development and IT infrastructure, where changes can impact overall system stability. By using tools and practices, configuration management helps teams track changes, manage versions, and automate deployments. This reduces errors and improves collaboration among team members. Common tools used in configuration management include Ansible, Puppet, and Chef, which facilitate the automation of these processes.