From Requirements to Data Model
With a clear scope from Step 1, your next task is to build the data foundation of your📋 Function
. This step bridges the gap between abstract business needs and a concrete technical structure in Luklak. It’s where you identify the core “nouns” of your process and model them as 🧊 Objects
.
The goal of this step is to create a digital twin of your real-world business entities and the relationships between them. A well-designed data model is the key to creating a single source of truth for your entire operation.
Phase 1: Identifying Your Core Objects
First, review your process maps and stakeholder notes from Step 1. Look for the distinct “things” that your business needs to track, manage, or act upon. Each of these will become anObject Type
in your Function
.
For example, in a “Recruitment” Function
, your core nouns might be:
Job Requisition
Candidate
Interview
Offer Letter
Standard Objects vs. Sub-Objects
Luklak allows you to create a hierarchy between yourObject Types
to accurately model complex processes.
Standard Object
A
🧊︎ Standard Object
is a primary, independent entity. It’s the main “thing” your process revolves around. In our example, Job Requisition
and Candidate
would be Standard Objects.Sub-Object
A
🧊︎ Sub-Object
is a child entity that logically belongs to a Standard Object. It’s used to break down larger work items. In our example, Interview
and Offer Letter
would be Sub-Objects of a Candidate
.Phase 2: Modeling Relationships
Defining yourObjects
is only half the battle. The real power comes from connecting them. A Candidate
is useful, but a Candidate
connected to a specific Job Requisition
and multiple Interviews
creates a complete, contextual picture.
There are three ways to model these relationships in Luklak.
1. Object Field (Most Common)
This is the primary method for linking differentObject Types
. You simply add a special type of Data Field
to an Object
’s screen that allows users to select and link to another Object
.
Example: On your Job Requisition
Object Type, you would add an “Object Field” named “Hiring Manager” that lets you link to a specific Object
from an “Employee” Object Type (which might live in a separate HR Function
).
2. Parent-Child Connection (Built-in)
This connection is created automatically when you define aSub-Object
. The Sub-Object
is always intrinsically linked to its parent Standard Object
.
Example: You don’t need to manually configure a link between an Interview
and a Candidate
. Because Interview
is a Sub-Object
of Candidate
, the parent-child connection is already built-in.
3. Global Object Connection (Advanced)
These are reusable, system-wide connection types that can create flexible links betweenObjects
across your entire Luklak instance. This is useful for creating ad-hoc relationships that may not be part of the primary process design.
Example: You could use a generic “Relates To” connection to link a Candidate
to a Project
they previously worked on as a contractor.
What’s Next?
You have successfully designed the data skeleton of yourFunction
. You know what you are tracking and how it all relates. The next step is to define how these Objects
will move through your business process.