Computer method and apparatus for providing version-aware impact analysis

A computer implemented method and apparatus for providing dependency traceability in software configuration management. Per configuration of a subject software program formed of one or more artifacts, a version history of each artifact is maintained. For each artifact, coupled to the respective version history of the artifact is an indication of status of traceability relationship for each indicated version. One implementation employs a traceability object to maintain and provide such status indications. The status indications are view independent and enable dependency traceability relationship of each artifact to be determinable in each configuration employing the artifact.