How does one handle recording the fact that a blank form has been sent to some external entity outside of the current process being examined?
For example, consider the method that the IRS uses to identify blank forms: form 1040, form W2, form 1099, etc. These blank forms have unique identification numbers affixed to them that indicate not only the type of form but also the publication date. This constitutes a unique identifier of a Class (an entity-type or data-structure) named “Blank Form” that has among its attributes data-elements called “Form Type” and “Form Publication Date.” In a system-automation, the attributes Form Type and Form Publication Date are the only kinds of information that would posses any significant value for purposes of record keeping. That is to say, one would record the fact that such-and-such a “Form Type” with thus-and-so “Form Publication Date” was sent to XYZ external entity on some specified date and time. When a “Blank Form” is sent to an external entity, the fact that it contains may spaces (fields) for possible data entry is of no real value until there is actually data entered in those space
