A method of automated workflow processing includes transforming an object, A1, which is of class X, into an object which is of class Y. The method includes the steps of separating existing data elements of A1 from the object itself, generating new data elements corresponding to class Y, inserting the new data elements into object A1, and computing values for the new data elements, possibly based on values of the old data elements. Other objects that referred to A1 before the transformation continue to do so afterwards. Values of data elements prior to transformation can be preserved, e.g., to facilitate review, to facilitate further transformation, and/or to facilitate back transformation.