A robust toolkit that can be configured and assembled in an object-oriented manner to develop a custom case management software application. The toolkit provides a set of software components that serve as a framework for integration with off-the-shelf components. The software components are organized in a vertical layered architecture, with each layer depending upon the layers below it. The toolkit includes a top enterprise application layer, a middle case management application layer, and a bottom customized application layer. The toolkit allows developer to focus on meeting the specific case management needs of a target business/organization, instead of developing case management business logic and application logic from the ground up.