4.3 Summary

---

The results of the discussion in this chapter are summarized in Table 4.1. PDM and SCM are compared, with respect to the availability of different functionalities. This is followed by Table 4.2 summarizing the pros and cons of PDM and SCM.

Table 4.1: Summary of Functionality of PDM and SCM

Type of Functionality	PDM	SCM
Version management	Yes	Yes, with branch and merge
Product structure management	Yes	No
Build management	No	Yes
Change management	Yes	Yes, well integrated with other processes
Release management	Yes	Yes, but weak
Workflow and process management	Yes	Yes, but weak
Document management	Yes	Partly
Concurrent development	No	Yes
Configuration/selection management	No	Yes
Workspace management	No	Yes
Roles	Yes	Yes, but weak

Table 4.2: Pros and Cons of PDM and SCM

PDM	SCM
PDM tools are strong in product modeling.	SCM tools are weak in product modeling.
PDM tools have a long tradition in standardized product evolution control know how.	SCM do not have a long tradition in product development.
Some tools use a standard to a certain degree; some do not.	There is no standard for SCM tools.
PDM tools are strong in workflow and process management.	Many SCM tools have a good support in workflow and process management.
PDM tools are strong in document management.	SCM tools are weak in document management.
PDM is strong in data representation where metadata and data are separated.	In general, SCM tools are weak in management of metadata.
PDM is strong in the data modeling where an object-oriented data model is used.	There is no data modeling in SCM. SCM tools manage files and directories effectively.
PDM tools are strong in release management.	SCM tools are weak in release management.
PDM has a weak support for concurrent engineering.	SCM tools are strong in concurrent engineering on a single file.
PDM does not support workspace management.	SCM tools are strong in workspace management.
PDM tools do not support build management.	SCM tools are strong in build management.
PDM tools do not support configuration/selection management.	SCM tools are strong in configuration/selection management.
PMD tools have simpler version management model.	SCM tools are strong in version management.

We can conclude, in comparing SCM and PDM, that SCM tools do not have the necessary functionality to support the development of a complex product during its entire life cycle and that PDM tools do not have sufficient functionality to support software management, particularly during the development phase. However, even though there is much functionality redundancy, SCM tools and PDM tools complement each other.

---