Toward SCM / PDM Integration?

Software Configuration Management (SCM) is the discipline of controlling the evolution of a software product. Product Data Management (PDM) is the disciple of designing and controlling the evolution of a product design. For a long time, these two domains have been disconnected, but they probably share common concepts and techniques. Furthermore, any large product development includes a substantial (and growing) part of software development. There is a need to control the evolution of both the product and its associated software. Thus we are faced with the question: are the involved concepts and techniques close enough to envision a common tool capable of supporting both domains. This paper tries to answer this question, through an analysis of the PDM standard STEP and tools characteristic of both domains: Metaphase for PDM; Clear Case and Adele for SCM. “Those who know only England do not know England” (Rudyard Kipling). This paper is written by SCM experts, not PDM ones, and assumes that readers are more knowledgeable in SCM than PDM. The other objective of the paper is to make a critical assessment of SCM (and SE) in the light of another related domain PDM [9]