A PDM system, method, and computer program product for traversing a large data structure including corresponding runtime objects. A method includes receiving traversal parameters including a plurality of unique object identifiers (UIDs) corresponding to objects in a data structure. The method includes receiving input objects, including input runtime objects, and closure rule clauses. The method includes configuring runtime objects, from the objects in the data structure, according to the traversal parameters, and storing the runtime objects in a temporary table. The method includes traversing the data structure and temporary table using the closure rules to produce traversed objects, and serializing and storing the traversed objects.