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.