Configuration families represent a set of configuration characteristics (see About Configuration Characteristics) and allowed option values used to group configurable parts. Configuration families must be associated with configurable parts (see About Configurable Parts) before working with configurations for those parts. When defining the part configuration revision for a configurable part, you select characteristics and options from among those defined for the configuration family. This grouping helps organize the configuration characteristics relevant for use in a product line as both front and back office configuration rules are defined.
Configuration families are typically used to group a set of configurable sales parts sharing common configuration characteristics. Configuration families are also used to group configured subassemblies or purchased component used within the structure of the family. This is useful if a configured subassembly or component inherits characteristic values from the parent part. Because back office rule definition is also organized around the concept of a configuration family, subassembly or component characteristics that are derived from, but are not directly associated with, the parent's characteristics are also included in the configuration family.