Example systems and methods of configuring and displaying a model-based user interface are described. In one implementation, a method receives a request to configure a process model, the process model having an object type. A configuration rule associated with the object type is accessed, and a configuration instruction is received. The configuration instruction is analyzed based on the configuration rule, and if the configuration instruction is valid then the object type is modified based on the instruction. The process model is updated based on the modified object type. In another implementation, a method receives a request to display instance data of a process model, where the process model has an object type associated with the instance data. A structure rule determining placement of the instance data is accessed, and a user interface to display the instance data is generated based on the structure rule.