1. A data management control system for file and database management for managing a plurality of projects as a design control system, comprising: for each project a control repository and one or more data repositories to store, manage, and manipulate any data object, wherein said control repository communicates with users and the data repositories in numerous ways to support environments ranging from a small user community to a global enterprise; and wherein all data and control information is tracked in an architecturally centralized location consisting of said data repository and said control repository using a single logical PFVL paradigm to identify all data in the DMS by Package, File Type, (Data Type), Version and Level, and wherein packages are arbitrary divisions of data, whereby all the data has some common association; and wherein there is provided a locking mechanism which enables transfer of ownership permanently or temporarily of PFVL data, and allows for an override or rest of the check out locks, and provides notificaton to the original designer or administrator in the event of check out.