Product definition technology has evolved in such a way as to encourage the proliferation of data formats used within the product lifecycle for various use cases. One such product development framework being proposed in industry today is the model-based enterprise (MBE), which is operationally driven by the model-based definition (MBD) of products. This paper describes current models of the product development process and the nature of collaborative data. This paper will also suggest a framework for evaluating various collaborative product representations. The nature of the data formats chosen for use in specific workflows have a substantial effect on the ability of users to consume data and the ability for an organization to capture and archive its critical information.