Computer-aided process planning (CAPP) is a link between design and discrete manufacturing schemes in a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment. In order to optimize projected variables such as cost, lead times, equipment availability, production volumes, potential material substitution routings and testing requirement etc., CAPP is a key tool for engineers in the modern manufacturing industry. Distributed decision making in planning comes out as a rigid hierarchical structure of tasks (size of the system matters); where the lowest levels are well-defined tasks, such as determination of machine and cutting parameters, while the top levels control, coordinate and manage the entire system. The CAPP system begins with examining a workpieces surface, and identifies all possible machining processes for all facets, one at a time, and later specific production facilities were taken to the pool. Optimal machining plans are identified based on local production conditions, e.g., machine capabilities, delivery schedules, personnel, etc. It is found that the CAPP system is particularly useful in a concurrent engineering environment, where a large number of design changes are made on routine basis. LOCAM is commonly used as knowledge acquisition tool to meet diverse process planning in integrated fashion and minimum time. An integrated planning framework as a logical extension of current CAPP activities is of future interest and can be addressed by artificial intelligence (AI) based techniques to achieve higher business impact.