Part Master

The authoritative record for a part or item — including its part number, description, classification, unit of measure, sourcing attributes, and lifecycle status — maintained in the system of record for product master data.

Why it matters

The part master is the fundamental unit of product master data. Inconsistencies in the part master — duplicate numbers, missing attributes, stale revision data — cascade into every downstream process that consumes part information, from procurement to manufacturing to service.

Cite this definition

Finocchiaro, Michael. “Part Master.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/part-master