A PDM method and system is described, wherein documents associated with products are stored in at least one PDM server (2) and data exchange (4, 6, 8, 14, 16) between the at least one PDM server (2) and clients (20, 22, 24, 26) of divisions via at least one interface (46, 47, 48, 49) per division is provided. Tasks are defined (21, 23, 25) for managing product data using a descriptive language. These task definitions are automatically translated (40) into corresponding process execution instructions for clients (20, 22, 24, 26) of the divisions which are concerned by the defined tasks and the interfaces (46, 47, 48, 49) belonging to divisions which are concerned by the defined tasks are automatically configured (42) for according to the defined task necessary data exchange (4, 6, 8, 14, 16, 18) between clients (20, 22, 24, 26) of concerned divisions and the at least one PDM server (2). The PDM system according to the invention provides a configuration engine (140) which is provided for automatically translating the task definitions into corresponding process execution instructions for the clients (120, 122, 124, 126) and automatically configuring the interfaces (146, 147, 148, 149) concerned with the task definition for according to these defined tasks necessary data exchange between clients (120, 122, 124, 126) of the divisions and the PDM server. As descriptive language XML is used preferably. The method as well as the system according to the invention can also be used to provide a PLM or a PDM/PLM method and system.