1. A method for managing changes to a data model, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: generating a first set of signatures for a first version of the data model, the first set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the first version of the data model; generating a second set of signatures for a second version of the data model, the second set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the second version of the data model; and determining whether differences exist between the first version of the data model and the second version of the data model based, at least in part, on a comparison of the first set of signatures and the second set of signatures.