Data objects

Data objects are the discrete pieces of information, records, documents, or values that are consumed, produced, or transformed by the activities and steps within that process. They represent the flow of information that drives the process, enables decisions, and constitutes its inputs and outputs.

Think of data objects as the "things" or the "content" that the process acts upon and generates, allowing the "how" (the process activities) to take place.

Here's a breakdown of their relationship to business processes:

1. Inputs to Process Activities:

   • Data objects serve as the necessary information that a process step requires to perform its function. Without the correct input data, the activity cannot proceed.

2. Outputs from Process Activities:

   • As process activities are performed, they often generate new information or modify existing information. These become the output data objects, which then feed into subsequent steps.

3. Transformation and State Change:

   • Processes are fundamentally about transforming inputs into outputs. Data objects reflect this transformation by changing their state as they move through the process.

4. Enabling Decisions:

   • The values and attributes within data objects often dictate the flow of a process by triggering conditional decisions.

5. Types of Data Objects:

   • Documents

   • Records

   • Messages

   • Attributes/Values

Significance of  Data Objects in Business Processes:

• Process Flow and Logic: They define what information is needed at each step and what information is produced, making the process logic clear and executable.

• Automation: For processes to be automated (often via applications), the data objects must be clearly defined and structured so that software can read, process, and generate them.

• Performance Measurement: Data objects often contain the metrics needed to measure process performance.

• Auditability and Compliance: Capturing and tracking data objects throughout a process provides an audit trail for compliance, regulatory requirements, and historical analysis.

• Integration: Data objects are the common language that allows different process steps, departments, and even different applications to communicate and exchange information seamlessly.

Altogether, data objects are the dynamic information carriers within a business process. They are the raw material, the work-in-progress, and the finished goods of the information flow, enabling the process to operate, make decisions, and ultimately deliver its intended products or services.