Using Shared Objects
In an process diagram, a data object can be used to represent the fact that data or objects (correspondence, raw materials, finished products, etc.) are in stock awaiting use.
A data object is used to explain how documents, data, and other objects are used and updated during the process. A data object can represent an electronic document, or any other type of object, electronic or physical.
In this example, the shared object "Stock Data" is represented with an open head arrow since it is used by the "Analyze Purchase Request" process without having been produced by one of the processes represented in the repository.