Flexible object representation

A flexible object function is for use in conjunction with, or as an element of, a CAD/CAM software application. The flexible object enables the CAD/CAM application to represent an object that can experience variations in its geometry and logical properties for different design occurrences, while maintaining consistent common properties in all of the occurrences. The variations can be driven by the assembly context, or interacting relationships of the specific occurrence with other components or objects. A system and method for representing a model includes providing a representation of the model in the form of a flexible object representation, the flexible object representation having at least one variable property and at least one common property. A dynamic process can be simulated that involves the model wherein a value of the at least one variable property changes during simulation and a value of the at least one common property does not change during simulation. A different occurrence of the model is provided with each value of the at least one variable property without creating an additional business object representation of the model.