A department data object is used to store information about attributes that are specific to different functions in a plant; for example, Production, Quality, Procurement, Inventory.

A department data object for a part is created in the context of a plant. The basic purpose of department data is to provide flexibility in segregating functional data from part data. While a part primarily stores engineering information, a department data object stores the manufacturing information of a part. As department data objects exist independent of a part, the iterations in manufacturing information do not affect the part. As a result, unnecessary iterations of a part are avoided.

A department data object has its own life cycle and effectivity. The object can participate in change or promotion process and can also be included in a baseline.

For effectively managing department data, a specific role in a plant can be made accountable for a specific object independent of the part. For example, a procurement manager of a plant can be responsible for department data related to procurement for a part manufactured in the plant. This process leads to a focused approach towards creating and managing department data for a part.