Design Data Management uses one copy of common data sets along with a plurality of instances, while continuing to utilize the existing design databases and existing CAD tools. Allowing a minimum amount of user intervention to create and maintain the common data set, Design Data Management employs replicating common data sets into one or more clone data sets. The method preferred provides for replicating and synchronizing one or more data sets with a master data set, comprises providing data design management of a master data set and at least one clone data set, and copying a master physical design data set into one or more physical instances to enable customization of said one or more physical instances. The master data set describes at least one of: a design component, a circuit macro, and a circuit entity, and comprises logical data sets, and it comprise physical design data sets. This permits all existing verification processes that are normally executed against the common data set to also be equally applied to the clones of said data set by way of automatic synchronization between of the common dataset and the clones.