In software we like things to be generic and reusable. When designing data models we try to predict the future and possible scenarios where system can evolve. We often forgot that to be reusable, first system must be usable.
I like generic mechanisms. Generic search engine, generic RPC library, generic audit, generic authorization framework, generic UI components. Reusability on technical level is great. You can quickly build new things from existing blocks.
But generic business model? It is much easier to work with business domain model when it is focused and very specific. There should be no properties, classes, database tables or relationships just in case for the future. Every domain class and field must have specific, well defined meaning and purpose. There should be a real-life story behind each domain element. There should be no place for misinterpretation. Source code is often the most reliable source of truth about how whole organization works. Source code and its data must not lie about what it can really do.
I like to design systems by starting with business use-cases, end-to-end user flows and data flows. Once you have those dynamic elements of the system defined, then data model to support the processes should be straightforward. It is the business process to define domain model, not the other way around.
Development teams tend to focus too much on generalization to support unknown processes instead of pushing stakeholders to define concrete processes. Let’s do not pretend that we are prepared for all possible future scenarios. Both in business and in code. Let’s focus on bundling something that works and is well defined. This is why we adopt agile methodologies – to be able to evolve our models in iterations. This is why we adopt microservices – to be able to retire outdated process easily and build new ideas independently.
To conclude. Avoiding generalization on business domain level is good. It is not an anti-pattern. Generalization is often a distraction from the real goals. Generalization makes the goals less achievable and vague. Let’s be focused and specific.