---
id: ADR-PFM-MTD-010
title: Platform relationships with dated membership
product_area: platform
module: metadata
revision: 1
status: proposed
design_intent: confirmed
source_sha:
  services-platform: ad3f6a6582843008ed0f5a17b131878d15829af1
  react-console: baf6dae382d6f41dce976c7f848667ccc37e076f
decision: Platform owns general relationship types separately from CRM affiliations, fixes their shape, treats end
  days inclusively and protects types selected as custom-object owners.
constrains:
- DOM-PFM-MTD-006
- STATE-PFM-MTD-009
- STATE-PFM-MTD-010
- SVC-PFM-MTD-associations
origin: Custom objects architecture D-04 and D-12 (approved 2026-10-18); PLAT-M6 D2 (in force until it ends) and
  D3 (refuse, name the object), Andrew 2026-10-21
alternatives:
- option: Extending CRM affiliations into general links
  why_not: Affiliations have CRM-specific aggregate behavior that general relationships do not replace.
- option: Releasing occupancy when a future end is recorded
  why_not: A connection ending later must continue holding its place through the agreed inclusive end day.
- option: Retiring a selected owner type
  why_not: New ownership links could no longer satisfy the object’s configured owner relationship.
consequences:
- Ordinary place checks compare inclusive spans and allow adjacent nonoverlapping connections.
- Removing an open dated link ends it; removing a link with a stored end date erases it as a correction.
- Required-link settings and relationship-count limits remain unenforced.
supersedes: []
evidence:
- 'services-platform at ad3f6a65: modules/associations/**; docs/associations.md'
---

# Platform relationships with dated membership

## Context

General dated connections serve a wider purpose than CRM affiliations. Their occupancy and owner-retirement behavior require consistent interpretation.

## Decision

Platform owns general relationship types separately from CRM affiliations, fixes their shape, treats end days inclusively and protects types selected as custom-object owners.

## Alternatives Considered

Extending CRM affiliations into general links: Affiliations have CRM-specific aggregate behavior that general relationships do not replace. Releasing occupancy when a future end is recorded: A connection ending later must continue holding its place through the agreed inclusive end day. Retiring a selected owner type: New ownership links could no longer satisfy the object’s configured owner relationship.

## Consequences

Ordinary place checks compare inclusive spans and allow adjacent nonoverlapping connections. Removing an open dated link ends it; removing a link with a stored end date erases it as a correction. Required-link settings and relationship-count limits remain unenforced.