Disclosed is a structured model for developing PIO code and for performing PIO transactions. This model of structured PIO transactions provides a framework with default behaviors. Developers need only provide a minimal amount of configuration information and can then characterize subsequent PIO transactions in terms of a profile, thus reducing the amount of detailed and often redundant information that developers need to provide for each PIO transaction. In some embodiments, the PIO transaction model is expressed in terms of object-oriented programming constructs. In one example, a PIO enabler object captures general PIO operational parameters and manages underlying operating system objects and behavior. When device manager software receives an input/output request that involves a PIO data transfer, the device manager constructs a PIO transaction object that represents the PIO work request. During the processing of the PIO transaction, the PIO transaction object maintains state and status information.