Which aspect does configuration management focus on?

Configuration management primarily focuses on the control of changes to functional characteristics within a system. This discipline involves maintaining the integrity of a product's performance and functionality as it undergoes changes throughout its lifecycle. By managing changes, organizations can ensure that the system remains consistent with its requirements, and they can track what changes have been made over time. This process helps in maintaining order and clarity in complex development environments, especially in agile contexts where frequent iterations and modifications are common.

The other aspects mentioned, while important in their respective areas, do not align with the core focus of configuration management. Performance evaluation pertains to assessing how well a system operates under various conditions, while development of system architecture deals with the design and structure of the system itself. Training staff on new protocols is related to skills development, which does not directly connect to the principles of configuration management and its focus on change control.