Structured data collection, presentation, validation and workflow management

Software-based technologies for improving structured data collection, presentation, validation, and workflow management processes are disclosed, including the use of interpretable configuration files to define data objects, generate object-level and sub-object-level specifications for a forms-based interface, validation processes and a workflow-based interface. A back-end integration component maps the data objects, validation and workflow processes, and interface specifications to portions of a back-end database system. In one embodiment, a data processing system comprises one or more processors; one or more storage media storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising causing a first computing device to interpret a configuration file; in response to the first computing device interpreting the configuration file, causing a display device to generate a forms-based interface comprising a data input control element arranged to obtain data in association with a data object that is defined in the configuration file; in response to detecting receipt of a data item by the data input control element of the forms-based interface, executing a data validation process that is, in the configuration file, associated with the data item; in response to validation of the data item by the data validation process, causing, by a second computing device, mapping the data item to a back-end data object; causing, by the second computing device or a third computing device, altering a validation process associated with the back-end data object based on a result of the executing of the validation process associated with the data item in the configuration file; causing storing the data item in a database system in association with the back-end data object.