1. A method for automatically generating an integrated data model of a product, the method comprising: defining a uniform rule set relating to producing a data model of the product; inputting a first input file defining parameters descriptive of the product; generating a first data model of the product, the principal components of which are defined in accord with the input file; optimizing the first data model in light of the contents of the rules database to generate a second data model; examining the second data model; and generating a second input file in light of the examining of the second data model.