The objective of this chapter is to give a basic introduction to the product-related environment of a typical company before PLM emerged. This overview will help those in a company’s PLM Initiative to understand some of the reasons why PLM emerged and why it’s so important. In turn, this understanding will help them to participate more fully in their company’s PLM Initiative. This chapter also aims to give students of PLM a basic understanding of the product-related environment of a company before the emergence of PLM.