Systems and methods which implement synchronization across hierarchical targets by ordering elements in a hierarchical target in order of hierarchical depth and propagating a first set of element changes based upon the hierarchical order of elements and a second set of element changes based upon a non-hierarchical order of elements priority are shown. A child attribute data model is utilized with respect to hierarchical data structures for which synchronization is provided in which hierarchy relationships are represented as an attribute of the child according to embodiments.