Generic model management (gMMt) is a novel view on classical and modern metadata management problems. The present article surveys the goals, components, pros and cons of gMMt, and major problems cited in the literature. It argues that some methodology developed in abstract mathematics can be extremely helpful for the field and is capable of providing it with a convenient notation, semantic foundations and truly generic specification patterns. The two other articles, titled Mathematics of Generic Specifications for Model Management, I (further referred to as Math-I , see p. 351), and Mathematics of Generic Specifications for Model Management, II (further referred to as Math-II, see p. 359), give some evidence to these claims by demonstrating how the machinery works in a series of examples.
