In complex systems, version control can quickly turn into chaos if you’re not proactive. One key strategy I rely on is feature branching—each feature or bug fix gets its own branch, which keeps the main branch stable. In one project, we implemented strict code review and continuous integration (CI) pipelines, which helped catch conflicts early. Automated tests were crucial for ensuring that integrations didn’t break anything. I also found that creating a release train—a regular schedule for integrating and releasing changes—helped maintain control. Everyone knew when things were merging, which minimized last-minute surprises.

A system can be a combination of SW, HW, Mechanical and other elements. While developing a complex system the elements gradually move from a prototype version to a highly matured version. The integrated system hence needs to be managed using version control. This needs to be done at each individual system element. System Configuration management together with Release management and/or Variant management is needed on an organizational level. This can to be integrated into an ALM environment so that different teams involved in developing system elements can be grouped under compatible combinations of versions.

Managing version control in complex systems can quickly become disorganized without proactive strategies. One approach I prioritize is feature branching, dedicating a separate branch to each feature or bug fix to keep the main branch stable. In one project, we enforced rigorous code reviews and continuous integration (CI) pipelines, which helped us catch conflicts early. Automated testing was essential to ensure that new integrations didn’t disrupt existing functionality. Establishing a "release train" with a consistent schedule for merges and releases also helped keep things under control, setting clear expectations and reducing last-minute issues.

In complex systems, version control can be guaranted to be efficient when : - Qulaity assurance can be performed for the whole system or a limited substet, - When the system can tell exactly when, what, who, - When rollbacks are safe and conflits can be resolved visually, - When continuous Integration is performed in a timely and accurate way with reports sent to concerned people.

Implement a branching strategy like Gitflow to manage multiple development streams and avoid conflicts. Use an API platform as a service to abstract and version APIs, allowing for seamless integration and evolution without affecting legacy systems. Automate testing with continuous integration pipelines to detect issues early, ensuring stable releases. Maintain comprehensive documentation to keep all teams aligned on versioning protocols, avoiding confusion and ensuring clarity during system upgrades and integration. All these things require discipline and best practices to work as expected.

Some key points for effective change management in complex systems: 1 - Ensure teams communicate effectively about all changes (a solid communication plan is essential); 2 - Limit the impact of changes until verifying that the system remains stable (techniques like canary deployment are a good example of this); 3 - Avoid making multiple changes at the same time whenever possible; 4 - Prefer a sequence of small changes over a single large change; 5 - Since major changes are inevitable, simulating the widest possible range of issues (through multi-level testing) is a proven effective technique. In summary, it’s a matter of rigorously applying what the industry already knows about change management, and everything will run smoothly.

Note: this action list helps to ensure smooth version control integration to a complex system architecture (but can be applied to other domains): 1. Use robust version control systems like Git with platforms like GitHub, alongside a clear branching strategy such as Git Flow (or Trunk-Based Development). 2. Implement automated testing and CI/CD pipelines to catch errors early, and enforce reviews to maintain quality. 3. Maintain comprehensive documentation and provide regular training to ensure everyone understands processes and tools.

I need to go back and look for project history that is relevant to stakeholders; these steps will help me understand the most difficult challenge I will face and allow me to plan accordingly. The very important understanding of the current infrastructure and what is to be developed that will help to lead system architecture to be easier applied, one of the important steps that agile concept that is modified, tested, and published solution

Don't invent a bicycle: use a standard git flow and make sure the team follows it. Add some rules for branch naming, restrictions for merging, approvals. Nice to automate merging to master in order nobody could merge there manually.