This book answers all those 'how-to' questions about CM that you hear asked in large and small businesses around the world. It provides 'best CM practices' for both manual and automated CM systems (hardware and software), covered in exacting detail, with important concepts summarized (italics) after the topic text coverage. PCM III is filled with figures, illustrations, templates, lessons learned, Q&A, examples, plus pitfalls to be avoided to assure that the CM 'newbie' as well as the CM veteran obtains the information they need. This book will provide you with the information you need to: understand the CM discipline, learn basic and advanced CM processes and procedures, establish 'best CM Practices' in your organization, automate your CM processes, implement Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM) solutions in your business, establish and maintain control of your hardware and software development activities, comply with CMM and CMMi guidelines and initiatives, improve communications with internal organizations, subcontractors, vendors and customers, employ proven risk mitigation techniques, and enhance process control and productivity