What is the difference between a work object and a case in Pega?

In Pega, the term "work object" refers specifically to an instance of a case. A case represents a process or a flow that is designed to handle a particular business scenario, and it can have multiple work objects associated with it, each reflecting the state of the case at different points in time or related to different actions taken within that case.

The distinction is essential in understanding Pega's framework. Each work object carries the details and data associated with a specific execution of a case. This includes information such as the status, actions taken, and any customer or business data related to that particular instance.

For example, if a case is created to process a loan application, each work object might represent a step in that process, like initial review, credit check, and final approval. Although multiple work objects can exist under one case, each work object is unique and represents a specific execution of the broader case.

This understanding allows architects and developers to better manage case life cycles, track progress, and optimize processes within the Pega application environment.