Data is acquired for an Identity System based on a one or more rules. The data can be from the same Identity System Component, another Identity System Component or a component external to the Identity System. The acquired data can be used to populate an Identity Profile, configure a workflow, or provide information to any other object, process, component, etc. of the Identity System. In one embodiment, the present invention combines dynamic identity value substitution and directory filter rules to enable rule based identity management. It enables dynamic population of identity data and real-time routing for identity management workflows. In other embodiments, the present invention can be applied to systems other than Identity Systems.