Using meta-models to manage information change in the design process of systems of systems

The paper presents a product lifecycle management meta-model for the design of systems of systems and discusses how the information technology - architecture, influences product lifecycle management interoperability. The current trends in systems of systems engineering starts with the consideration of networked mechatronic systems, often also called cyber-physical systems, which can also be seen as sub-parts of systems of systems. Hence, data models are needed to describe the product lifecycle of systems of systems on the basis of existing meta-models for single (mechatronic) systems. The main key findings are the clear understanding of the elements of the design and of their relations, which are describing the primary structure of systems of systems and the sub-elements. These meta-models are the basis for analysing the information enrichment and change management during the design process.