This IDC study forecasts the size and growth rate of the worldwide change and configuration management software market for 2012–2016. Historical information going back to 2007 is provided for comparison. This study reflects the impact of definitions contained in IDC's Software Taxonomy, 2011 (IDC #228020, July 2011).

"We have reduced our forecast to reflect a 2011–2016 CAGR of 6.3%," comments Mary Johnston Turner, research vice president, Enterprise System Management Software. She further explains this forecast saying, "The forecast balances the challenges of global economic headwinds, uncertainties about the impacts of currency exchange rates, and expectations for market growth in areas related to mobile device, virtualization, and cloud resource change and configuration management requirements, particularly in the Americas."