What should you check if a data element is needed to track the status of cases in two separate applications?

To determine if a data element is needed to track the status of cases in two separate applications, it is essential to check the inheritance path for existing data elements. This involves examining how data elements are defined and structured within the application hierarchy.

If data elements are inherited from a parent class or shared across multiple applications, this can help maintain consistency in how statuses are represented and managed across those applications. This shared inheritance path can streamline data management and avoid redundancy. If both applications are using the same base classes or rulesets for data elements, it becomes easier to ensure that the status tracking is aligned and coherent.

By examining the inheritance path, one can identify if there are already existing data elements that serve this purpose without the need to create new ones, thereby promoting better data practices and potentially minimizing integration issues between the two applications. Checking the inheritance path ensures that any new developments do not conflict with existing structures and enhances interoperability.