Configuration management is the systematic process of handling changes to IT systems, infrastructure, and software configurations in a controlled, consistent, and documented manner. It encompasses tracking state across resources, maintaining version control over infrastructure code, and ensuring idempotency in deployments to prevent configuration drift. Configuration management bridges the gap between initial provisioning and ongoing operational stability, enabling teams to define, deploy, and maintain desired states across development, staging, and production environments while reducing manual errors and enforcing compliance through automated, repeatable processes.