A data architecture for an information management system for storing and retrieving data, where the system is characterized by a set of data processing rules. The data architecture includes a database management system implementing a primary data structure including a plurality of data elements for storing data, the primary data structure being characterized by a fixed data schema. The database management system also implements a secondary data structure defining a plurality of data relationships between the data elements of the primary data structure on a basis of the data processing rules of the information management system. Accordingly, the primary data structure is independent of the data processing rules of the information management system, such that the primary data structure is unaffected by changes to the data processing rules of the information management system.