Engineering Change Management (ECM) is an important component of PLM. ECM modules in current PLM solutions conform to the industry-standard CMII closed-loop change model. Users create customized forms for ECRs, ECOs, etc., and set up workflows for handling change requests. Any change has different downstream effects, which lead to further changes that may not be evident up front. Evaluating the effects of an Engineering Change (EC) on manufacturing process, BOM, lead times, inventory, etc., requires considerable experience and expertise on behalf of the user.