Abstract This paper describes a set of requirements for total management of engineering design data. These requirements are essential to the successful implementation of computer based engineering data management system and exceed the capabilities provided by the commercially available data base management systems (DBMS). These requirements were derived from a study of the aerospace design process by experienced aerospace design engineers. They form part of the basis for development of the Integrated Programs for Aerospace-Vehicle Design (IPAD) system which is currently being produced by Boeing under a NASA contract. The requirements are described as engineering needs and how they appear in the engineering design process. Also given is a brief explanation of why existing DBMS systems do not meet these needs.