Pega Common Application (previously known as Common Data model) is a Pega-developed application which offers a pre-built set of data objects that help you accelerate your development. It is a standalone application that can be added as a build on to your application stack.
It supports the Pega Constellation versions of Pega Platform™ and other strategic applications like Customer Service.
It fits well with the prescriptive way of Constellation development, providing a template for designing your data model. This approach ensures consistency across the application by leveraging reusable patterns that are easy to extend.
As a result, implementations are quicker, leading to faster returns on investment. This is particularly beneficial for legacy modernization projects and proof-of-concept initiatives. By reducing development time and effort, Pega Common Application enables teams to focus on delivering value and innovation rather than handling data model intricacies.
Note: Using the Common Application is not mandatory when building applications directly on Platform. For strategic applications (for example, Customer Service) that are built using the Common Application, please refer to the respective application’s instructions for mandatory uses.
Benefits of using Common Data Model
The Common Data Model supports all Pega Constellation-based applications. It provides an established foundation for data modeling, eliminating the need to start from scratch. We can utilize reusable patterns and bring consistency in development.
Key benefits include:
- The data model follows Constellation best practices and reusable patterns.
- Functions as an application-independent model. It supports both local storage and API extensions.
- Offers a unified structure and relationship description for typed entities within a robust object model.
- Flexible for future changes and extensions.
- Use the sample data to quickly create a demo application with no extra setup.
- Ideal for POCs or trial runs in legacy or heritage modernization, enabling faster value delivery.
- Reduces development effort spent in creating and managing data.
Common Business Scenarios
The Common Data Model can be used in any Constellation-based application. And it is extended for five industries using Pega’s best-practices –
- Financial Services:
- Business-to-Consumer (B2C) retail accounts
- Business-to-Business (B2B) commercial accounts.
- Insurance:
- Business-to-Consumer (B2C) retail insurance
- Business-to-Business-to-Consumer (B2B2C) agency applications
- Healthcare:
- B2C: Insurer’s perspective regarding a member enrolled in a group insurance plan
- B2C: Insurer’s perspective on a member with external coverage
- B2C: Delivery Provider’s Perspective Regarding the Patient
- Insurer’s view regarding in-network providers
- Government: Fraud Enquiry and Investigations
- Communications: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Retail Consumer Account Scenario
Detailed data dictionaries are available for reference in Documentation - Pega Common Application Use Cases
Note: In case it doesn’t align precisely with your specific use case, the Pega Common Application also can serve as a valuable reference template.
How to Start?
Complete Installation guide is available at – Installing Pega Common Application
Available versions – 8.8, Infinity 23, Infinity 24.1, Infinity 24.2
Development Accelerators
- Inbuild Data portal -
Pega Common Application includes the Data Portal that helps you develop applications more quickly by enabling you to upload sample data, experience the model by using the data, and perform quick updates within a development environment.
- It serves as a common place to manage all your system data.
- Each entity (Data Object) can be accessed from a pre-configured landing page.
- You can also create records for individual entities.
- Administration panel - Includes the configuration settings that are available in the Pega Common Application, which currently include Common Data Model and Pega Voice AI.
- Sample Data –
Another powerful feature as part of Pega Common Application is the ability to add and delete sample data. This is particularly useful for POCs (when you sample data to help clients visualize applications) or for simulation of your APIs when not ready.
Pega’s CDM supports various industries, each with its own sample data and extension application.
A) Adding sample data –
First you need to download the sample data file which is suitable for your industry. You can find the relevant excel file here - In the navigation pane of Dev Studio, click Records > Technical > Binary File.
For applications without any strategic application, you need to download - CommonSampleData file. For others, you need to select the appropriate file as below:
Once you download the file, you can open the Data portal. It is preconfigured OOTB.
Select “Data Utilities” from the create menu.
Select action as “Upload Data”.
Attach the file
Once you confirm the file will be uploaded.
You can validate the data, from the data portal itself.
Click on the Contact landing page and you will see many records have been added.
B) Deleting sample data –
Open the Data portal
Select “Data Utilities” from the create menu.
Select action as “Delete Data”.
Entity data filters are config sets which helps to segment sample data in same application.
You can find this in Data Portal -
For this example – I am using the below filters
Once you click submit, the records will be deleted. Please run the utility again if there are more than 500 records.
Note: Importing the sample data is optional and the sample data might not align with your business needs. Do not import sample data to staging or production environments.
Summary
In summary, Pega Common Application provides a basis for developing an application data model, particularly suited for Constellation. This approach may help expedite application development while adhering to established best practices.
Related Resources
Academy Mission
Pega Documentation
Pega Common Application Series
Enjoyed this article? This is part of our Pega Common Application series.