The configuration hierarchy provides the structure for segregating working data from different, alternate designs from contractors and controls the merging of this data.
Configuration Top is the top node of the configuration hierarchy. Data and documents created here are configuration independent, so they are visible and available for update from any configuration.
Plant is the first level in the configuration hierarchy and usually contains the as-built data.
Work can be performed in the plant directly or created and merged up through the lower configurations. The plant is usually at level 1, which is directly below Configuration Top. However, each configuration can be configured to match your specific needs. To integrate with any of the design tools, the plant must be at level 1 and project must be at level 2.