1. A method of configuring software, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing a common software configuration markup language in a computer system including at least one server which is connected to a plurality of client computers, the server having a memory for storing product elements which may be linked together to form at least one version of a software package, and further for storing processes usable by the clients to at least one of maintain the product elements and develop new product elements, and tools usable by the clients to at least one of define, maintain and update relations between product elements; wherein the common software configuration markup language is operable to at least one of define a project, perform a memory access to at least one of product elements and packages, map one or more of the processes and tools to one ore more library systems, and define relations between the product elements, and further wherein a framework associated with the common software configuration markup language is system-independent.