A process for prepopulating a data array, e.g., an electronic field document, in a complex workflow system is provided. The field document may document a portion of the performance of a complex project. The process begins by selecting an archived data array storing similar actual data previously saved in the workflow process. The archived data array may be an archived field document documenting a similar performance in a similar complex project. The process then retrieves the similar actual data from the archived data array and populates the first data array with the similar actual data. The process then stores the similar actual data in the first data array as preliminary actual data.