Product definition on higher level in open PLM systems

Product definition in space where objects are represented in a single contextual model brought a new thinking in work of engineers. This thinking is around the intended interaction with processes those are available for handling of objects in product modeling. Engineer defines a contribution to modify a product model development of which is result of contributions from various fields of engineering. Essential question is that what level results of human thinking process on objects can be applied as input at the model development. The answer depends on communication and representation capabilities of modeling procedures. This paper introduces a new definition of human interaction levels from the lowest to a proposed high level allowing input also on lower level if necessary. Increasing the level is the way towards intelligent product definition procedures. The proposed high level method realizes communication of awaited product characteristics and features together with methods those are assigned to fulfill these product characteristics and features. This paper is a new contribution to the earlier published coordinated request based product modeling (CRPM) methodology.