A system and method directed to capturing the structure of data models using entity patterns is provided wherein an entity pattern is an abstraction, for example in the MICROSOFT BUSINESS FRAMEWORK.RTM.(MBF), that surfaces in the model editor of the framework at the root level and consists of one or more entity roles that together define a structural pattern of a model. The entity pattern may be considered as an uber-model, or a model template for a model. Prescriptive rules are added to the design of entities, required properties and relations to other entities (entity roles). Applications of the entity patterns are validated at design time. The runtime framework supports any applied pattern and invokes the pattern specific code. It is a general advantage that the runtime operation is model driven and interprets the model data at runtime. The application and usage of a pattern is part of the model of the application/software program.