diff --git a/.github/workflows/backend_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/backend_tests.yml
index 99dff06f..fff033ed 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/backend_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/backend_tests.yml
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ jobs:
           mysql version: "8.0"
           mysql database: "spiffworkflow_backend_unit_testing"
           mysql root password: password
+          collation server: 'utf8mb4_0900_as_cs'
         if: matrix.database == 'mysql'
 
       - name: Setup Postgres
@@ -192,7 +193,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: "3.11"
       - name: Install Poetry
         run: |
-          pipx install poetry
+          pipx install --pip-args=--constraint=spiffworkflow-backend/.github/workflows/constraints.txt poetry
           poetry --version
       - name: Poetry Install
         run: poetry install
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/.github/workflows/constraints.txt b/spiffworkflow-backend/.github/workflows/constraints.txt
index 7ccc8711..55013fd6 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/.github/workflows/constraints.txt
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/.github/workflows/constraints.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 pip==22.2.2
 nox==2022.11.21
 nox-poetry==1.0.2
-poetry==1.2.2
+poetry==1.3.2
 virtualenv==20.16.5
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/Dockerfile b/spiffworkflow-backend/Dockerfile
index ef915bde..f42b8a5b 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/Dockerfile
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/Dockerfile
@@ -19,7 +19,12 @@ RUN apt-get update \
 # Setup image for installing Python dependencies.
 FROM base AS setup
 
-RUN pip install poetry
+# poetry 1.4 seems to cause an issue where it errors with
+#   This error originates from the build backend, and is likely not a
+#   problem with poetry but with lazy-object-proxy (1.7.1) not supporting PEP 517 builds.
+#   You can verify this by running 'pip wheel --use-pep517 "lazy-object-proxy (==1.7.1) ; python_version >= "3.6""'.
+# Pinnning to 1.3.2 to attempt to avoid it.
+RUN pip install poetry==1.3.2
 RUN useradd _gunicorn --no-create-home --user-group
 
 RUN apt-get update \
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/conftest.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/conftest.py
index 9c6c242e..3adf8725 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/conftest.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/conftest.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from flask.app import Flask
 from flask.testing import FlaskClient
 from tests.spiffworkflow_backend.helpers.base_test import BaseTest
 
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process import BpmnProcessModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance import ProcessInstanceModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.user import UserModel
@@ -46,6 +47,8 @@ def app() -> Flask:
 def with_db_and_bpmn_file_cleanup() -> None:
     """Do it cleanly!"""
     meta = db.metadata
+    db.session.execute(db.update(BpmnProcessModel, values={"parent_process_id": None}))
+
     for table in reversed(meta.sorted_tables):
         db.session.execute(table.delete())
     db.session.commit()
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/migrations/versions/ab91b129b473_.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/migrations/versions/389800c352ee_.py
similarity index 77%
rename from spiffworkflow-backend/migrations/versions/ab91b129b473_.py
rename to spiffworkflow-backend/migrations/versions/389800c352ee_.py
index 377f8b05..bfcf5da8 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/migrations/versions/ab91b129b473_.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/migrations/versions/389800c352ee_.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 """empty message
 
-Revision ID: ab91b129b473
+Revision ID: 389800c352ee
 Revises: 
-Create Date: 2023-03-03 14:00:59.134381
+Create Date: 2023-03-07 10:40:43.709777
 
 """
 from alembic import op
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import sqlalchemy as sa
 from sqlalchemy.dialects import mysql
 
 # revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
-revision = 'ab91b129b473'
+revision = '389800c352ee'
 down_revision = None
 branch_labels = None
 depends_on = None
@@ -18,6 +18,33 @@ depends_on = None
 
 def upgrade():
     # ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
+    op.create_table('bpmn_process',
+    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('guid', sa.String(length=36), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('parent_process_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('properties_json', sa.JSON(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('json_data_hash', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('start_in_seconds', sa.DECIMAL(precision=17, scale=6), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('end_in_seconds', sa.DECIMAL(precision=17, scale=6), nullable=True),
+    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['parent_process_id'], ['bpmn_process.id'], ),
+    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
+    )
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_guid'), 'bpmn_process', ['guid'], unique=True)
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_json_data_hash'), 'bpmn_process', ['json_data_hash'], unique=False)
+    op.create_table('bpmn_process_definition',
+    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('hash', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_identifier', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('properties_json', sa.JSON(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('type', sa.String(length=32), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_version_control_type', sa.String(length=50), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_version_control_identifier', sa.String(length=255), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('updated_at_in_seconds', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('created_at_in_seconds', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
+    )
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_definition_bpmn_identifier'), 'bpmn_process_definition', ['bpmn_identifier'], unique=False)
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_definition_hash'), 'bpmn_process_definition', ['hash'], unique=True)
     op.create_table('correlation_property_cache',
     sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
     sa.Column('name', sa.String(length=50), nullable=False),
@@ -32,6 +59,13 @@ def upgrade():
     sa.Column('identifier', sa.String(length=255), nullable=True),
     sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
     )
+    op.create_table('json_data',
+    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('hash', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('data', sa.JSON(), nullable=False),
+    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
+    )
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_json_data_hash'), 'json_data', ['hash'], unique=True)
     op.create_table('message_triggerable_process_model',
     sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
     sa.Column('message_name', sa.String(length=255), nullable=True),
@@ -47,18 +81,6 @@ def upgrade():
     sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id'),
     sa.UniqueConstraint('uri')
     )
-    op.create_table('process_instance_data',
-    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
-    sa.Column('runtime_json', sa.JSON(), nullable=False),
-    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
-    )
-    op.create_table('serialized_bpmn_definition',
-    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
-    sa.Column('hash', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
-    sa.Column('static_json', sa.JSON(), nullable=False),
-    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
-    )
-    op.create_index(op.f('ix_serialized_bpmn_definition_hash'), 'serialized_bpmn_definition', ['hash'], unique=True)
     op.create_table('spec_reference_cache',
     sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
     sa.Column('identifier', sa.String(length=255), nullable=True),
@@ -107,6 +129,15 @@ def upgrade():
     sa.UniqueConstraint('service', 'service_id', name='service_key'),
     sa.UniqueConstraint('username')
     )
+    op.create_table('bpmn_process_definition_relationship',
+    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_process_definition_parent_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_process_definition_child_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['bpmn_process_definition_child_id'], ['bpmn_process_definition.id'], ),
+    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['bpmn_process_definition_parent_id'], ['bpmn_process_definition.id'], ),
+    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id'),
+    sa.UniqueConstraint('bpmn_process_definition_parent_id', 'bpmn_process_definition_child_id', name='bpmn_process_definition_relationship_unique')
+    )
     op.create_table('principal',
     sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
     sa.Column('user_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
@@ -123,8 +154,9 @@ def upgrade():
     sa.Column('process_model_identifier', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
     sa.Column('process_model_display_name', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
     sa.Column('process_initiator_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
-    sa.Column('serialized_bpmn_definition_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
-    sa.Column('process_instance_data_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_process_definition_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_process_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('spiff_serializer_version', sa.String(length=50), nullable=True),
     sa.Column('bpmn_json', sa.JSON(), nullable=True),
     sa.Column('start_in_seconds', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
     sa.Column('end_in_seconds', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
@@ -136,9 +168,9 @@ def upgrade():
     sa.Column('spiff_step', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
     sa.Column('locked_by', sa.String(length=80), nullable=True),
     sa.Column('locked_at_in_seconds', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['bpmn_process_definition_id'], ['bpmn_process_definition.id'], ),
+    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['bpmn_process_id'], ['bpmn_process.id'], ),
     sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['process_initiator_id'], ['user.id'], ),
-    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['process_instance_data_id'], ['process_instance_data.id'], ),
-    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['serialized_bpmn_definition_id'], ['serialized_bpmn_definition.id'], ),
     sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
     )
     op.create_index(op.f('ix_process_instance_process_model_display_name'), 'process_instance', ['process_model_display_name'], unique=False)
@@ -175,6 +207,33 @@ def upgrade():
     sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id'),
     sa.UniqueConstraint('key')
     )
+    op.create_table('task',
+    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('guid', sa.String(length=36), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_process_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('state', sa.String(length=10), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('properties_json', sa.JSON(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('json_data_hash', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('start_in_seconds', sa.DECIMAL(precision=17, scale=6), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('end_in_seconds', sa.DECIMAL(precision=17, scale=6), nullable=True),
+    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['bpmn_process_id'], ['bpmn_process.id'], ),
+    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
+    )
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_task_guid'), 'task', ['guid'], unique=True)
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_task_json_data_hash'), 'task', ['json_data_hash'], unique=False)
+    op.create_table('task_definition',
+    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_process_definition_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('bpmn_identifier', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('properties_json', sa.JSON(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('typename', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('updated_at_in_seconds', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('created_at_in_seconds', sa.Integer(), nullable=True),
+    sa.ForeignKeyConstraint(['bpmn_process_definition_id'], ['bpmn_process_definition.id'], ),
+    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id'),
+    sa.UniqueConstraint('bpmn_process_definition_id', 'bpmn_identifier', name='task_definition_unique')
+    )
+    op.create_index(op.f('ix_task_definition_bpmn_identifier'), 'task_definition', ['bpmn_identifier'], unique=False)
     op.create_table('user_group_assignment',
     sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
     sa.Column('user_id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
@@ -331,6 +390,11 @@ def downgrade():
     op.drop_table('human_task')
     op.drop_table('user_group_assignment_waiting')
     op.drop_table('user_group_assignment')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_task_definition_bpmn_identifier'), table_name='task_definition')
+    op.drop_table('task_definition')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_task_json_data_hash'), table_name='task')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_task_guid'), table_name='task')
+    op.drop_table('task')
     op.drop_table('secret')
     op.drop_table('refresh_token')
     op.drop_index(op.f('ix_process_instance_report_identifier'), table_name='process_instance_report')
@@ -340,18 +404,24 @@ def downgrade():
     op.drop_index(op.f('ix_process_instance_process_model_display_name'), table_name='process_instance')
     op.drop_table('process_instance')
     op.drop_table('principal')
+    op.drop_table('bpmn_process_definition_relationship')
     op.drop_table('user')
     op.drop_table('spiff_logging')
     op.drop_index(op.f('ix_spec_reference_cache_type'), table_name='spec_reference_cache')
     op.drop_index(op.f('ix_spec_reference_cache_identifier'), table_name='spec_reference_cache')
     op.drop_index(op.f('ix_spec_reference_cache_display_name'), table_name='spec_reference_cache')
     op.drop_table('spec_reference_cache')
-    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_serialized_bpmn_definition_hash'), table_name='serialized_bpmn_definition')
-    op.drop_table('serialized_bpmn_definition')
-    op.drop_table('process_instance_data')
     op.drop_table('permission_target')
     op.drop_index(op.f('ix_message_triggerable_process_model_process_model_identifier'), table_name='message_triggerable_process_model')
     op.drop_table('message_triggerable_process_model')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_json_data_hash'), table_name='json_data')
+    op.drop_table('json_data')
     op.drop_table('group')
     op.drop_table('correlation_property_cache')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_definition_hash'), table_name='bpmn_process_definition')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_definition_bpmn_identifier'), table_name='bpmn_process_definition')
+    op.drop_table('bpmn_process_definition')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_json_data_hash'), table_name='bpmn_process')
+    op.drop_index(op.f('ix_bpmn_process_guid'), table_name='bpmn_process')
+    op.drop_table('bpmn_process')
     # ### end Alembic commands ###
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/load_database_models.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/load_database_models.py
index ef3beede..376083cf 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/load_database_models.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/load_database_models.py
@@ -50,15 +50,21 @@ from spiffworkflow_backend.models.group import GroupModel  # noqa: F401
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance_metadata import (
     ProcessInstanceMetadataModel,
 )  # noqa: F401
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.serialized_bpmn_definition import (
-    SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel,
-)  # noqa: F401
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance_data import (
-    ProcessInstanceDataModel,
-)  # noqa: F401
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance_file_data import (
     ProcessInstanceFileDataModel,
 )  # noqa: F401
 
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process import BpmnProcessModel  # noqa: F401
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process_definition import (
+    BpmnProcessDefinitionModel,
+)  # noqa: F401
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.task import TaskModel  # noqa: F401
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.task_definition import (
+    TaskDefinitionModel,
+)  # noqa: F401
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.json_data import JsonDataModel  # noqa: F401
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process_definition_relationship import (
+    BpmnProcessDefinitionRelationshipModel,
+)  # noqa: F401
 
 add_listeners()
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..67e295e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey
+
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
+
+
+# properties_json attributes:
+#   "last_task", # guid generated by spiff
+#   "root", # guid generated by spiff
+#   "success", # boolean
+#   "bpmn_messages", # if top-level process
+#   "correlations", # if top-level process
+class BpmnProcessModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
+    __tablename__ = "bpmn_process"
+    id: int = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
+    guid: str | None = db.Column(db.String(36), nullable=True, unique=True, index=True)
+
+    parent_process_id: int | None = db.Column(
+        ForeignKey("bpmn_process.id"), nullable=True
+    )
+
+    properties_json: dict = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False)
+    json_data_hash: str = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False, index=True)
+
+    # subprocess or top_level_process
+    # process_type: str = db.Column(db.String(30), nullable=False)
+
+    # FIXME: find out how to set this but it'd be cool
+    start_in_seconds: float = db.Column(db.DECIMAL(17, 6))
+    end_in_seconds: float | None = db.Column(db.DECIMAL(17, 6))
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process_definition.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process_definition.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4e7744ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process_definition.py
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
+
+
+# contents of top-level attributes from spiff:
+#   "subprocess_specs",
+#   "spec",
+#
+# each subprocess will have its own row in this table.
+# there is a join table to link them together: bpmn_process_definition_relationship
+class BpmnProcessDefinitionModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
+    __tablename__ = "bpmn_process_definition"
+    id: int = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
+
+    # this is a sha256 hash of spec and serializer_version
+    # note that a call activity is its own row in this table, with its own hash,
+    # and therefore it only gets stored once per version, and can be reused
+    # by multiple calling processes.
+    hash: str = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False, index=True, unique=True)
+
+    bpmn_identifier: str = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False, index=True)
+
+    properties_json: dict = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False)
+
+    # process or subprocess
+    # FIXME: will probably ignore for now since we do not strictly need it
+    # make this nullable false and index it once we actually start using it
+    type: str = db.Column(db.String(32), nullable=True)
+
+    # TODO: remove these from process_instance
+    bpmn_version_control_type: str = db.Column(db.String(50))
+    bpmn_version_control_identifier: str = db.Column(db.String(255))
+
+    updated_at_in_seconds: int = db.Column(db.Integer)
+    created_at_in_seconds: int = db.Column(db.Integer)
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process_definition_relationship.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process_definition_relationship.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5ab4a7a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/bpmn_process_definition_relationship.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey
+from sqlalchemy import UniqueConstraint
+
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process_definition import (
+    BpmnProcessDefinitionModel,
+)
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
+
+
+class BpmnProcessDefinitionRelationshipModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
+    __tablename__ = "bpmn_process_definition_relationship"
+    __table_args__ = (
+        UniqueConstraint(
+            "bpmn_process_definition_parent_id",
+            "bpmn_process_definition_child_id",
+            name="bpmn_process_definition_relationship_unique",
+        ),
+    )
+
+    id: int = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
+    bpmn_process_definition_parent_id: int = db.Column(
+        ForeignKey(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.id), nullable=False  # type: ignore
+    )
+    bpmn_process_definition_child_id: int = db.Column(
+        ForeignKey(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.id), nullable=False  # type: ignore
+    )
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/serialized_bpmn_definition.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/json_data.py
similarity index 61%
rename from spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/serialized_bpmn_definition.py
rename to spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/json_data.py
index 5a3d983e..0723a50a 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/serialized_bpmn_definition.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/json_data.py
@@ -1,30 +1,10 @@
-"""Process_instance."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
 
 
-# top level serialized keys
-#
-# static
-#   "subprocess_specs",
-#   "spec",
-#   "serializer_version",
-#
-# runtime
-#   "bpmn_messages",
-#   "correlations",
-#   "data",
-#   "subprocesses",
-#   "tasks"
-#   "last_task", # guid generated by spiff
-#   "root", # guid generated by spiff
-#   "success", # boolean
-#
-# new columns on process_instance
-#
-# delta algorithm:
+# delta algorithm <- just to save it for when we want to try to implement it:
 #   a = {"hey": { "hey2": 2, "hey3": 3, "hey6": 7 }, "hey30": 3, "hey40": 4}
 #   b = {"hey": { "hey2": 4, "hey5": 3 }, "hey20": 2, "hey30": 3}
 #   a_keys = set(a.keys())
@@ -40,8 +20,10 @@ from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
 #   for added_key in added_keys:
 #       added[added_key] = b[added_key]
 #   final_tuple = [added, removed, changed]
-class SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
-    __tablename__ = "serialized_bpmn_definition"
+class JsonDataModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
+    __tablename__ = "json_data"
     id: int = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
+
+    # this is a sha256 hash of spec and serializer_version
     hash: str = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False, index=True, unique=True)
-    static_json: str = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False)
+    data: dict = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False)
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/process_instance.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/process_instance.py
index f12cbec7..cbbceaba 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/process_instance.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/process_instance.py
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import relationship
 from sqlalchemy.orm import validates
 
 from spiffworkflow_backend.helpers.spiff_enum import SpiffEnum
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process import BpmnProcessModel
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process_definition import (
+    BpmnProcessDefinitionModel,
+)
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance_data import ProcessInstanceDataModel
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.serialized_bpmn_definition import (
-    SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel,
-)  # noqa: F401
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.task import Task
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.task import TaskSchema
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.user import UserModel
@@ -64,15 +64,16 @@ class ProcessInstanceModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
     process_initiator_id: int = db.Column(ForeignKey(UserModel.id), nullable=False)  # type: ignore
     process_initiator = relationship("UserModel")
 
-    serialized_bpmn_definition_id: int | None = db.Column(
-        ForeignKey(SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel.id), nullable=True  # type: ignore
+    bpmn_process_definition_id: int | None = db.Column(
+        ForeignKey(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.id), nullable=True  # type: ignore
     )
-    serialized_bpmn_definition = relationship("SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel")
+    bpmn_process_definition = relationship(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel)
+    bpmn_process_id: int | None = db.Column(
+        ForeignKey(BpmnProcessModel.id), nullable=True  # type: ignore
+    )
+    bpmn_process = relationship(BpmnProcessModel)
 
-    process_instance_data_id: int | None = db.Column(
-        ForeignKey(ProcessInstanceDataModel.id), nullable=True  # type: ignore
-    )
-    process_instance_data = relationship("ProcessInstanceDataModel", cascade="delete")
+    spiff_serializer_version = db.Column(db.String(50), nullable=True)
 
     active_human_tasks = relationship(
         "HumanTaskModel",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/process_instance_data.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/process_instance_data.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 01f07e33..00000000
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/process_instance_data.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-"""Process_instance."""
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
-
-
-# the last three here should maybe become columns on process instance someday
-# runtime_json
-#   "bpmn_messages",
-#   "correlations",
-#   "data",
-#   "subprocesses",
-#   "tasks",
-#   "last_task", # guid generated by spiff
-#   "root", # guid generated by spiff
-#   "success", # boolean
-class ProcessInstanceDataModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
-    __tablename__ = "process_instance_data"
-    id: int = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
-    # this is not deferred because there is no reason to query this model if you do not want the runtime_json
-    runtime_json: str = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False)
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/task.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/task.py
index 148df231..302df25a 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/task.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/task.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Task."""
 import enum
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any
 from typing import Optional
 from typing import Union
@@ -8,6 +9,11 @@ import marshmallow
 from marshmallow import Schema
 from marshmallow_enum import EnumField  # type: ignore
 from SpiffWorkflow.task import TaskStateNames  # type: ignore
+from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey
+
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process import BpmnProcessModel
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
 
 
 class MultiInstanceType(enum.Enum):
@@ -19,6 +25,39 @@ class MultiInstanceType(enum.Enum):
     sequential = "sequential"
 
 
+# properties_json attributes:
+#   "id": "a56e1403-2838-4f03-a31f-f99afe16f38d",
+#   "parent": null,
+#   "children": [
+#     "af6ba340-71e7-46d7-b2d4-e3db1751785d"
+#   ],
+#   "last_state_change": 1677775475.18116,
+#   "state": 32,
+#   "task_spec": "Root",
+#   "triggered": false,
+#   "workflow_name": "Process_category_number_one_call_activity_call_activity_test_bd2e724",
+#   "internal_data": {},
+@dataclass
+class TaskModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
+    __tablename__ = "task"
+    id: int = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
+    guid: str = db.Column(db.String(36), nullable=False, unique=True, index=True)
+    bpmn_process_id: int = db.Column(
+        ForeignKey(BpmnProcessModel.id), nullable=False  # type: ignore
+    )
+
+    # find this by looking up the "workflow_name" and "task_spec" from the properties_json
+    # task_definition_id: int = db.Column(
+    #     ForeignKey(TaskDefinitionModel.id), nullable=False  # type: ignore
+    # )
+    state: str = db.Column(db.String(10), nullable=False)
+    properties_json: dict = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False)
+    json_data_hash: str = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False, index=True)
+
+    start_in_seconds: float = db.Column(db.DECIMAL(17, 6))
+    end_in_seconds: float | None = db.Column(db.DECIMAL(17, 6))
+
+
 class Task:
     """Task."""
 
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/task_definition.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/task_definition.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..358b7c1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/models/task_definition.py
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from sqlalchemy import ForeignKey
+from sqlalchemy import UniqueConstraint
+from sqlalchemy.orm import relationship
+
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process_definition import (
+    BpmnProcessDefinitionModel,
+)
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel
+
+
+class TaskDefinitionModel(SpiffworkflowBaseDBModel):
+    __tablename__ = "task_definition"
+    __table_args__ = (
+        UniqueConstraint(
+            "bpmn_process_definition_id",
+            "bpmn_identifier",
+            name="task_definition_unique",
+        ),
+    )
+
+    id: int = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
+    bpmn_process_definition_id: int = db.Column(
+        ForeignKey(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.id), nullable=False  # type: ignore
+    )
+    bpmn_process_definition = relationship(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel)
+
+    bpmn_identifier: str = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False, index=True)
+    properties_json: dict = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False)
+    typename: str = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False)
+
+    updated_at_in_seconds: int = db.Column(db.Integer)
+    created_at_in_seconds: int = db.Column(db.Integer)
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py
index 918d1749..fbf33ad3 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py
@@ -549,13 +549,11 @@ def process_instance_task_list(
 
     step_details = step_detail_query.all()
 
-    process_instance_data = process_instance.process_instance_data
-    process_instance_data_json = (
-        "{}" if process_instance_data is None else process_instance_data.runtime_json
-    )
-    process_instance_data_dict = json.loads(process_instance_data_json)
-    tasks = process_instance_data_dict["tasks"]
-    subprocesses = process_instance_data_dict["subprocesses"]
+    processor = ProcessInstanceProcessor(process_instance)
+    full_bpmn_process_dict = processor.full_bpmn_process_dict
+
+    tasks = full_bpmn_process_dict["tasks"]
+    subprocesses = full_bpmn_process_dict["subprocesses"]
 
     steps_by_id = {step_detail.task_id: step_detail for step_detail in step_details}
 
@@ -588,18 +586,19 @@ def process_instance_task_list(
                 spiff_task_id, TaskState.FUTURE
             )
 
-    process_instance_data.runtime_json = json.dumps(process_instance_data_dict)
+    bpmn_process_instance = ProcessInstanceProcessor._serializer.workflow_from_dict(
+        full_bpmn_process_dict
+    )
 
-    processor = ProcessInstanceProcessor(process_instance)
     spiff_task = processor.__class__.get_task_by_bpmn_identifier(
-        step_details[-1].bpmn_task_identifier, processor.bpmn_process_instance
+        step_details[-1].bpmn_task_identifier, bpmn_process_instance
     )
     if spiff_task is not None and spiff_task.state != TaskState.READY:
         spiff_task.complete()
 
     spiff_tasks = None
     if all_tasks:
-        spiff_tasks = processor.bpmn_process_instance.get_tasks(TaskState.ANY_MASK)
+        spiff_tasks = bpmn_process_instance.get_tasks(TaskState.ANY_MASK)
     else:
         spiff_tasks = processor.get_all_user_tasks()
 
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/services/process_instance_processor.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/services/process_instance_processor.py
index 923c3e7e..67c786b1 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/services/process_instance_processor.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/services/process_instance_processor.py
@@ -51,23 +51,31 @@ from SpiffWorkflow.serializer.exceptions import MissingSpecError  # type: ignore
 from SpiffWorkflow.spiff.serializer.config import SPIFF_SPEC_CONFIG  # type: ignore
 from SpiffWorkflow.task import Task as SpiffTask  # type: ignore
 from SpiffWorkflow.task import TaskState
+from SpiffWorkflow.task import TaskStateNames
 from SpiffWorkflow.util.deep_merge import DeepMerge  # type: ignore
 from sqlalchemy import text
 
 from spiffworkflow_backend.exceptions.api_error import ApiError
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process import BpmnProcessModel
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process_definition import (
+    BpmnProcessDefinitionModel,
+)
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.bpmn_process_definition_relationship import (
+    BpmnProcessDefinitionRelationshipModel,
+)  # noqa: F401
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.db import db
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.file import File
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.file import FileType
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.group import GroupModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.human_task import HumanTaskModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.human_task_user import HumanTaskUserModel
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.json_data import JsonDataModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.message_instance import MessageInstanceModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.message_instance_correlation import (
     MessageInstanceCorrelationRuleModel,
 )
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance import ProcessInstanceModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance import ProcessInstanceStatus
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance_data import ProcessInstanceDataModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_instance_metadata import (
     ProcessInstanceMetadataModel,
 )
@@ -75,11 +83,10 @@ from spiffworkflow_backend.models.process_model import ProcessModelInfo
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.script_attributes_context import (
     ScriptAttributesContext,
 )
-from spiffworkflow_backend.models.serialized_bpmn_definition import (
-    SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel,
-)  # noqa: F401
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.spec_reference import SpecReferenceCache
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.spiff_step_details import SpiffStepDetailsModel
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.task import TaskModel  # noqa: F401
+from spiffworkflow_backend.models.task_definition import TaskDefinitionModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.models.user import UserModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.scripts.script import Script
 from spiffworkflow_backend.services.custom_parser import MyCustomParser
@@ -437,8 +444,9 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
         self.process_instance_model = process_instance_model
         self.process_model_service = ProcessModelService()
         bpmn_process_spec = None
+        self.full_bpmn_process_dict = {}
         subprocesses: Optional[IdToBpmnProcessSpecMapping] = None
-        if process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition_id is None:
+        if process_instance_model.bpmn_process_definition_id is None:
             (
                 bpmn_process_spec,
                 subprocesses,
@@ -452,11 +460,13 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
         )
 
         try:
-            self.bpmn_process_instance = self.__get_bpmn_process_instance(
-                process_instance_model,
-                bpmn_process_spec,
-                validate_only,
-                subprocesses=subprocesses,
+            (self.bpmn_process_instance, self.full_bpmn_process_dict) = (
+                self.__get_bpmn_process_instance(
+                    process_instance_model,
+                    bpmn_process_spec,
+                    validate_only,
+                    subprocesses=subprocesses,
+                )
             )
             self.set_script_engine(self.bpmn_process_instance)
 
@@ -516,14 +526,123 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
         )
 
     @classmethod
-    def _get_full_bpmn_json(cls, process_instance_model: ProcessInstanceModel) -> dict:
-        if process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition_id is None:
+    def _get_definition_dict_for_bpmn_process_definition(
+        cls, bpmn_process_definition: BpmnProcessDefinitionModel
+    ) -> dict:
+        task_definitions = TaskDefinitionModel.query.filter_by(
+            bpmn_process_definition_id=bpmn_process_definition.id
+        ).all()
+        bpmn_process_definition_dict: dict = bpmn_process_definition.properties_json
+        bpmn_process_definition_dict["task_specs"] = {}
+        for task_definition in task_definitions:
+            bpmn_process_definition_dict["task_specs"][
+                task_definition.bpmn_identifier
+            ] = task_definition.properties_json
+        return bpmn_process_definition_dict
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _set_definition_dict_for_bpmn_subprocess_definitions(
+        cls,
+        bpmn_process_definition: BpmnProcessDefinitionModel,
+        spiff_bpmn_process_dict: dict,
+    ) -> None:
+        # find all child subprocesses of a process
+        bpmn_process_subprocess_definitions = (
+            BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.query.join(
+                BpmnProcessDefinitionRelationshipModel,
+                BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.id
+                == BpmnProcessDefinitionRelationshipModel.bpmn_process_definition_child_id,
+            )
+            .filter_by(bpmn_process_definition_parent_id=bpmn_process_definition.id)
+            .all()
+        )
+
+        bpmn_subprocess_definition_bpmn_identifiers = {}
+        for bpmn_subprocess_definition in bpmn_process_subprocess_definitions:
+            bpmn_process_definition_dict: dict = (
+                bpmn_subprocess_definition.properties_json
+            )
+            spiff_bpmn_process_dict["subprocess_specs"][
+                bpmn_subprocess_definition.bpmn_identifier
+            ] = bpmn_process_definition_dict
+            spiff_bpmn_process_dict["subprocess_specs"][
+                bpmn_subprocess_definition.bpmn_identifier
+            ]["task_specs"] = {}
+            bpmn_subprocess_definition_bpmn_identifiers[
+                bpmn_subprocess_definition.id
+            ] = bpmn_subprocess_definition.bpmn_identifier
+
+        task_definitions = TaskDefinitionModel.query.filter(
+            TaskDefinitionModel.bpmn_process_definition_id.in_(  # type: ignore
+                bpmn_subprocess_definition_bpmn_identifiers.keys()
+            )
+        ).all()
+        for task_definition in task_definitions:
+            bpmn_subprocess_definition_bpmn_identifier = (
+                bpmn_subprocess_definition_bpmn_identifiers[
+                    task_definition.bpmn_process_definition_id
+                ]
+            )
+            spiff_bpmn_process_dict["subprocess_specs"][
+                bpmn_subprocess_definition_bpmn_identifier
+            ]["task_specs"][
+                task_definition.bpmn_identifier
+            ] = task_definition.properties_json
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _get_bpmn_process_dict(cls, bpmn_process: BpmnProcessModel) -> dict:
+        json_data = JsonDataModel.query.filter_by(
+            hash=bpmn_process.json_data_hash
+        ).first()
+        bpmn_process_dict = {"data": json_data.data, "tasks": {}}
+        bpmn_process_dict.update(bpmn_process.properties_json)
+        tasks = TaskModel.query.filter_by(bpmn_process_id=bpmn_process.id).all()
+        for task in tasks:
+            json_data = JsonDataModel.query.filter_by(hash=task.json_data_hash).first()
+            bpmn_process_dict["tasks"][task.guid] = task.properties_json
+            bpmn_process_dict["tasks"][task.guid]["data"] = json_data.data
+
+        return bpmn_process_dict
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _get_full_bpmn_process_dict(
+        cls, process_instance_model: ProcessInstanceModel
+    ) -> dict:
+        if process_instance_model.bpmn_process_definition_id is None:
             return {}
-        serialized_bpmn_definition = process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition
-        process_instance_data = process_instance_model.process_instance_data
-        loaded_json: dict = json.loads(serialized_bpmn_definition.static_json or "{}")
-        loaded_json.update(json.loads(process_instance_data.runtime_json))
-        return loaded_json
+
+        spiff_bpmn_process_dict: dict = {
+            "serializer_version": process_instance_model.spiff_serializer_version,
+            "spec": {},
+            "subprocess_specs": {},
+            "subprocesses": {},
+        }
+        bpmn_process_definition = process_instance_model.bpmn_process_definition
+        if bpmn_process_definition is not None:
+            spiff_bpmn_process_dict["spec"] = (
+                cls._get_definition_dict_for_bpmn_process_definition(
+                    bpmn_process_definition
+                )
+            )
+            cls._set_definition_dict_for_bpmn_subprocess_definitions(
+                bpmn_process_definition, spiff_bpmn_process_dict
+            )
+
+            bpmn_process = process_instance_model.bpmn_process
+            if bpmn_process is not None:
+                bpmn_process_dict = cls._get_bpmn_process_dict(bpmn_process)
+                spiff_bpmn_process_dict.update(bpmn_process_dict)
+
+                bpmn_subprocesses = BpmnProcessModel.query.filter_by(
+                    parent_process_id=bpmn_process.id
+                ).all()
+                for bpmn_subprocess in bpmn_subprocesses:
+                    bpmn_process_dict = cls._get_bpmn_process_dict(bpmn_subprocess)
+                    spiff_bpmn_process_dict["subprocesses"][
+                        bpmn_subprocess.guid
+                    ] = bpmn_process_dict
+
+        return spiff_bpmn_process_dict
 
     def current_user(self) -> Any:
         """Current_user."""
@@ -559,20 +678,22 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
         validate_only: bool = False,
         subprocesses: Optional[IdToBpmnProcessSpecMapping] = None,
     ) -> BpmnWorkflow:
-        """__get_bpmn_process_instance."""
-        if process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition_id is not None:
+        full_bpmn_process_dict = {}
+        if process_instance_model.bpmn_process_definition_id is not None:
             # turn off logging to avoid duplicated spiff logs
             spiff_logger = logging.getLogger("spiff")
             original_spiff_logger_log_level = spiff_logger.level
             spiff_logger.setLevel(logging.WARNING)
 
             try:
-                full_bpmn_json = ProcessInstanceProcessor._get_full_bpmn_json(
-                    process_instance_model
+                full_bpmn_process_dict = (
+                    ProcessInstanceProcessor._get_full_bpmn_process_dict(
+                        process_instance_model
+                    )
                 )
                 bpmn_process_instance = (
-                    ProcessInstanceProcessor._serializer.deserialize_json(
-                        json.dumps(full_bpmn_json)
+                    ProcessInstanceProcessor._serializer.workflow_from_dict(
+                        full_bpmn_process_dict
                     )
                 )
             except Exception as err:
@@ -590,7 +711,7 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
             bpmn_process_instance.data[
                 ProcessInstanceProcessor.VALIDATION_PROCESS_KEY
             ] = validate_only
-        return bpmn_process_instance
+        return (bpmn_process_instance, full_bpmn_process_dict)
 
     def slam_in_data(self, data: dict) -> None:
         """Slam_in_data."""
@@ -730,9 +851,7 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
 
         Rerturns: {process_name: [task_1, task_2, ...], ...}
         """
-        bpmn_definition_dict = json.loads(
-            self.process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition.static_json or "{}"
-        )
+        bpmn_definition_dict = self.full_bpmn_process_dict
         processes: dict[str, list[str]] = {bpmn_definition_dict["spec"]["name"]: []}
         for task_name, _task_spec in bpmn_definition_dict["spec"]["task_specs"].items():
             processes[bpmn_definition_dict["spec"]["name"]].append(task_name)
@@ -780,9 +899,7 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
         NOTE: this may not fully work for tasks that are NOT call activities since their task_name may not be unique
         but in our current use case we only care about the call activities here.
         """
-        bpmn_definition_dict = json.loads(
-            self.process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition.static_json or "{}"
-        )
+        bpmn_definition_dict = self.full_bpmn_process_dict
         spiff_task_json = bpmn_definition_dict["spec"]["task_specs"] or {}
         if "subprocess_specs" in bpmn_definition_dict:
             for _subprocess_name, subprocess_details in bpmn_definition_dict[
@@ -807,9 +924,7 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
         Also note that subprocess_task_id might in fact be a call activity, because spiff treats
         call activities like subprocesses in terms of the serialization.
         """
-        process_instance_data_dict = json.loads(
-            self.process_instance_model.process_instance_data.runtime_json or "{}"
-        )
+        process_instance_data_dict = self.full_bpmn_process_dict
         spiff_task_json = self.get_all_task_specs()
 
         subprocesses_by_child_task_ids = {}
@@ -854,15 +969,151 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
                 )
         return subprocesses_by_child_task_ids
 
+    def _store_bpmn_process_definition(
+        self,
+        process_bpmn_properties: dict,
+        bpmn_process_definition_parent: Optional[BpmnProcessDefinitionModel] = None,
+    ) -> BpmnProcessDefinitionModel:
+        process_bpmn_identifier = process_bpmn_properties["name"]
+        new_hash_digest = sha256(
+            json.dumps(process_bpmn_properties, sort_keys=True).encode("utf8")
+        ).hexdigest()
+        bpmn_process_definition: Optional[BpmnProcessDefinitionModel] = (
+            BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.query.filter_by(hash=new_hash_digest).first()
+        )
+        if bpmn_process_definition is None:
+            task_specs = process_bpmn_properties.pop("task_specs")
+            bpmn_process_definition = BpmnProcessDefinitionModel(
+                hash=new_hash_digest,
+                bpmn_identifier=process_bpmn_identifier,
+                properties_json=process_bpmn_properties,
+            )
+            db.session.add(bpmn_process_definition)
+
+            for task_bpmn_identifier, task_bpmn_properties in task_specs.items():
+                task_definition = TaskDefinitionModel(
+                    bpmn_process_definition=bpmn_process_definition,
+                    bpmn_identifier=task_bpmn_identifier,
+                    properties_json=task_bpmn_properties,
+                    typename=task_bpmn_properties["typename"],
+                )
+                db.session.add(task_definition)
+
+        if bpmn_process_definition_parent is not None:
+            bpmn_process_definition_relationship = (
+                BpmnProcessDefinitionRelationshipModel.query.filter_by(
+                    bpmn_process_definition_parent_id=bpmn_process_definition_parent.id,
+                    bpmn_process_definition_child_id=bpmn_process_definition.id,
+                ).first()
+            )
+            if bpmn_process_definition_relationship is None:
+                bpmn_process_definition_relationship = BpmnProcessDefinitionRelationshipModel(
+                    bpmn_process_definition_parent_id=bpmn_process_definition_parent.id,
+                    bpmn_process_definition_child_id=bpmn_process_definition.id,
+                )
+                db.session.add(bpmn_process_definition_relationship)
+        return bpmn_process_definition
+
+    def _add_bpmn_process_definitions(self, bpmn_spec_dict: dict) -> None:
+        bpmn_process_definition_parent = self._store_bpmn_process_definition(
+            bpmn_spec_dict["spec"]
+        )
+        for process_bpmn_properties in bpmn_spec_dict["subprocess_specs"].values():
+            self._store_bpmn_process_definition(
+                process_bpmn_properties, bpmn_process_definition_parent
+            )
+        self.process_instance_model.bpmn_process_definition = (
+            bpmn_process_definition_parent
+        )
+
+    def _add_bpmn_process(
+        self,
+        bpmn_process_dict: dict,
+        bpmn_process_parent: Optional[BpmnProcessModel] = None,
+        bpmn_process_guid: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> BpmnProcessModel:
+        tasks = bpmn_process_dict.pop("tasks")
+        bpmn_process_data = bpmn_process_dict.pop("data")
+
+        bpmn_process = None
+        if bpmn_process_parent is not None:
+            bpmn_process = BpmnProcessModel.query.filter_by(
+                parent_process_id=bpmn_process_parent.id, guid=bpmn_process_guid
+            ).first()
+        elif self.process_instance_model.bpmn_process_id is not None:
+            bpmn_process = self.process_instance_model.bpmn_process
+
+        if bpmn_process is None:
+            bpmn_process = BpmnProcessModel(guid=bpmn_process_guid)
+
+        bpmn_process.properties_json = bpmn_process_dict
+
+        bpmn_process_data_json = json.dumps(bpmn_process_data, sort_keys=True).encode(
+            "utf8"
+        )
+        bpmn_process_data_hash = sha256(bpmn_process_data_json).hexdigest()
+        if bpmn_process.json_data_hash != bpmn_process_data_hash:
+            json_data = (
+                db.session.query(JsonDataModel.id)
+                .filter_by(hash=bpmn_process_data_hash)
+                .first()
+            )
+            if json_data is None:
+                json_data = JsonDataModel(
+                    hash=bpmn_process_data_hash, data=bpmn_process_data
+                )
+                db.session.add(json_data)
+            bpmn_process.json_data_hash = bpmn_process_data_hash
+
+        if bpmn_process_parent is None:
+            self.process_instance_model.bpmn_process = bpmn_process
+        elif bpmn_process.parent_process_id is None:
+            bpmn_process.parent_process_id = bpmn_process_parent.id
+        db.session.add(bpmn_process)
+
+        for task_id, task_properties in tasks.items():
+            task_data_dict = task_properties.pop("data")
+            state_int = task_properties["state"]
+
+            task = TaskModel.query.filter_by(guid=task_id).first()
+            if task is None:
+                # bpmn_process_identifier = task_properties['workflow_name']
+                # bpmn_identifier = task_properties['task_spec']
+                #
+                # task_definition = TaskDefinitionModel.query.filter_by(bpmn_identifier=bpmn_identifier)
+                # .join(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel).filter(BpmnProcessDefinitionModel.bpmn_identifier==bpmn_process_identifier).first()
+                # if task_definition is None:
+                #     subprocess_task = TaskModel.query.filter_by(guid=bpmn_process.guid)
+                task = TaskModel(guid=task_id, bpmn_process_id=bpmn_process.id)
+            task.state = TaskStateNames[state_int]
+            task.properties_json = task_properties
+
+            task_data_json = json.dumps(task_data_dict, sort_keys=True).encode("utf8")
+            task_data_hash = sha256(task_data_json).hexdigest()
+            if task.json_data_hash != task_data_hash:
+                json_data = (
+                    db.session.query(JsonDataModel.id)
+                    .filter_by(hash=task_data_hash)
+                    .first()
+                )
+                if json_data is None:
+                    json_data = JsonDataModel(hash=task_data_hash, data=task_data_dict)
+                    db.session.add(json_data)
+                task.json_data_hash = task_data_hash
+            db.session.add(task)
+
+        return bpmn_process
+
     def _add_bpmn_json_records(self) -> None:
         """Adds serialized_bpmn_definition and process_instance_data records to the db session.
 
         Expects the save method to commit it.
         """
         bpmn_dict = json.loads(self.serialize())
+        # with open('tmp2.json', 'w') as f: f.write(json.dumps(bpmn_dict)
         bpmn_dict_keys = ("spec", "subprocess_specs", "serializer_version")
-        bpmn_spec_dict = {}
         process_instance_data_dict = {}
+        bpmn_spec_dict = {}
         for bpmn_key in bpmn_dict.keys():
             if bpmn_key in bpmn_dict_keys:
                 bpmn_spec_dict[bpmn_key] = bpmn_dict[bpmn_key]
@@ -870,40 +1121,25 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
                 process_instance_data_dict[bpmn_key] = bpmn_dict[bpmn_key]
 
         # FIXME: always save new hash until we get updated Spiff without loopresettask
-        # if self.process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition_id is None:
-        new_hash_digest = sha256(
-            json.dumps(bpmn_spec_dict, sort_keys=True).encode("utf8")
-        ).hexdigest()
-        serialized_bpmn_definition = SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel.query.filter_by(
-            hash=new_hash_digest
-        ).first()
-        if serialized_bpmn_definition is None:
-            serialized_bpmn_definition = SerializedBpmnDefinitionModel(
-                hash=new_hash_digest, static_json=json.dumps(bpmn_spec_dict)
-            )
-            db.session.add(serialized_bpmn_definition)
-        if (
-            self.process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition_id is None
-            or self.process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition.hash
-            != new_hash_digest
-        ):
-            self.process_instance_model.serialized_bpmn_definition = (
-                serialized_bpmn_definition
-            )
+        # if self.process_instance_model.bpmn_process_definition_id is None:
+        self._add_bpmn_process_definitions(bpmn_spec_dict)
 
-        process_instance_data = None
-        if self.process_instance_model.process_instance_data_id is None:
-            process_instance_data = ProcessInstanceDataModel()
-        else:
-            process_instance_data = self.process_instance_model.process_instance_data
-
-        process_instance_data.runtime_json = json.dumps(process_instance_data_dict)
-        db.session.add(process_instance_data)
-        self.process_instance_model.process_instance_data = process_instance_data
+        # FIXME: Update tasks in the did_complete_task instead to set the final info.
+        #   We will need to somehow cache all tasks initially though before each task is run.
+        #   Maybe always do this for first run - just need to know it's the first run.
+        subprocesses = process_instance_data_dict.pop("subprocesses")
+        bpmn_process_parent = self._add_bpmn_process(process_instance_data_dict)
+        for subprocess_task_id, subprocess_properties in subprocesses.items():
+            self._add_bpmn_process(
+                subprocess_properties,
+                bpmn_process_parent,
+                bpmn_process_guid=subprocess_task_id,
+            )
 
     def save(self) -> None:
         """Saves the current state of this processor to the database."""
         self._add_bpmn_json_records()
+        self.process_instance_model.spiff_serializer_version = self.SERIALIZER_VERSION
 
         complete_states = [TaskState.CANCELLED, TaskState.COMPLETED]
         user_tasks = list(self.get_all_user_tasks())
@@ -1002,7 +1238,7 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
                     )
                     db.session.add(spiff_step_detail)
                     db.session.commit()
-                    self.log_spiff_step_details(spiff_step_detail_mapping)
+                    # self.log_spiff_step_details(spiff_step_detail_mapping)
 
         if len(human_tasks) > 0:
             for at in human_tasks:
@@ -1039,7 +1275,7 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
         spiff_step_detail = SpiffStepDetailsModel(**step)
         db.session.add(spiff_step_detail)
         db.session.commit()
-        self.log_spiff_step_details(step)
+        # self.log_spiff_step_details(step)
 
     def manual_complete_task(self, task_id: str, execute: bool) -> None:
         """Mark the task complete optionally executing it."""
@@ -1504,7 +1740,7 @@ class ProcessInstanceProcessor:
             raise ApiError.from_workflow_exception("task_error", str(swe), swe) from swe
 
         finally:
-            self.log_spiff_step_details(step_details)
+            # self.log_spiff_step_details(step_details)
             db.session.bulk_insert_mappings(SpiffStepDetailsModel, step_details)
             spiff_logger = logging.getLogger("spiff")
             for handler in spiff_logger.handlers:
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py
index 3055d4b2..f450729c 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py
@@ -1301,10 +1301,11 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         assert create_response.json is not None
         assert create_response.status_code == 201
         process_instance_id = create_response.json["id"]
-        client.post(
+        run_response = client.post(
             f"/v1.0/process-instances/{modified_process_model_identifier}/{process_instance_id}/run",
             headers=self.logged_in_headers(with_super_admin_user),
         )
+        assert run_response.status_code == 200
         show_response = client.get(
             f"/v1.0/process-instances/{modified_process_model_identifier}/{process_instance_id}?process_identifier={spec_reference.identifier}",
             headers=self.logged_in_headers(with_super_admin_user),
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_dot_notation.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_dot_notation.py
index 59a0fee8..c646a754 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_dot_notation.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_dot_notation.py
@@ -13,9 +13,7 @@ from spiffworkflow_backend.services.process_instance_service import (
 
 
 class TestDotNotation(BaseTest):
-    """TestVariousBpmnConstructs."""
-
-    def test_dot_notation(
+    def test_dot_notation_in_message_path(
         self,
         app: Flask,
         client: FlaskClient,
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py
index e30d9dcd..c0898a04 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ class TestMessageService(BaseTest):
             .all()
         )
         assert len(waiting_messages) == 0
-
         # The process has completed
         assert self.process_instance.status == "complete"
 
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py
index b46ba1e1..75eb3146 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import pytest
 from flask import g
 from flask.app import Flask
 from flask.testing import FlaskClient
+from SpiffWorkflow.task import TaskState  # type: ignore
 from tests.spiffworkflow_backend.helpers.base_test import BaseTest
 from tests.spiffworkflow_backend.helpers.test_data import load_test_spec
 
@@ -261,6 +262,36 @@ class TestProcessInstanceProcessor(BaseTest):
 
         assert process_instance.status == ProcessInstanceStatus.complete.value
 
+    def test_can_load_up_processor_after_running_model_with_call_activities(
+        self,
+        app: Flask,
+        client: FlaskClient,
+        with_db_and_bpmn_file_cleanup: None,
+        with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
+    ) -> None:
+        """Test_does_not_recreate_human_tasks_on_multiple_saves."""
+        initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
+
+        process_model = load_test_spec(
+            process_model_id="test_group/call_activity_nested",
+            process_model_source_directory="call_activity_nested",
+        )
+        process_instance = self.create_process_instance_from_process_model(
+            process_model=process_model, user=initiator_user
+        )
+        processor = ProcessInstanceProcessor(process_instance)
+        processor.do_engine_steps(save=True)
+
+        # ensure this does not raise
+        processor = ProcessInstanceProcessor(process_instance)
+
+        # this task will be found within subprocesses
+        spiff_task = processor.__class__.get_task_by_bpmn_identifier(
+            "do_nothing", processor.bpmn_process_instance
+        )
+        assert spiff_task is not None
+        assert spiff_task.state == TaskState.COMPLETED
+
     def test_does_not_recreate_human_tasks_on_multiple_saves(
         self,
         app: Flask,
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-frontend/bin/cypress_pilot b/spiffworkflow-frontend/bin/cypress_pilot
index 213282d2..6476d056 100755
--- a/spiffworkflow-frontend/bin/cypress_pilot
+++ b/spiffworkflow-frontend/bin/cypress_pilot
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ else
   shift
 fi
 
-if [[ -z "CYPRESS_SPIFFWORKFLOW_FRONTEND_AUTH_WITH_KEYCLOAK" ]]; then
+if [[ -z "${CYPRESS_SPIFFWORKFLOW_FRONTEND_AUTH_WITH_KEYCLOAK:-}" ]]; then
   export CYPRESS_SPIFFWORKFLOW_FRONTEND_AUTH_WITH_KEYCLOAK=true
 fi
 
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/e2e/process_instances.cy.js b/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/e2e/process_instances.cy.js
index e582dcbb..846d4162 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/e2e/process_instances.cy.js
+++ b/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/e2e/process_instances.cy.js
@@ -179,13 +179,14 @@ describe('process-instances', () => {
         cy.get(statusSelect).contains(processStatus).click();
         cy.get(statusSelect).click();
         cy.getBySel('filter-button').click();
-        // FIXME: wait a little bit for the useEffects to be able to fully set processInstanceFilters
-        cy.wait(1000);
         cy.url().should('include', `status=${processStatus}`);
         cy.assertAtLeastOneItemInPaginatedResults();
         cy.getBySel(`process-instance-status-${processStatus}`);
         // there should really only be one, but in CI there are sometimes more
         cy.get('div[aria-label="Clear all selected items"]:first').click();
+        cy.get('div[aria-label="Clear all selected items"]').should(
+          'not.exist'
+        );
       }
     });
 
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/pilot/pp1.cy.js b/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/pilot/pp1.cy.js
index 47dbbf30..aac3dbc8 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/pilot/pp1.cy.js
+++ b/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/pilot/pp1.cy.js
@@ -32,13 +32,16 @@ const approveWithUser = (
 
 describe('pp1', () => {
   it('can run PP1', () => {
-    cy.login('core5.contributor', 'core5.contributor');
+    cy.login('core-a1.contributor', 'core-a1.contributor');
     cy.visit('/');
     cy.contains('Start New +').click();
     cy.contains('Raise New Demand Request');
     cy.runPrimaryBpmnFile(true);
-    cy.contains('Procurement').click();
-    // cy.contains('Submit').click();
+    cy.contains('Please select the type of request to Start the process.');
+    // wait a second to ensure we can click the radio button
+    cy.wait(1000);
+    cy.get('input#root-procurement').click();
+    cy.wait(1000);
     cy.get('button')
       .contains(/^Submit$/)
       .click();
@@ -77,7 +80,8 @@ describe('pp1', () => {
         .click();
 
       cy.contains(
-        'Review and provide any supporting information or files for your request.'
+        'Review and provide any supporting information or files for your request.',
+        { timeout: 20000 }
       );
       cy.contains('Submit the Request').click();
       cy.get('input[value="Submit the Request"]').click();
@@ -91,14 +95,14 @@ describe('pp1', () => {
         processInstanceId,
         'Task: Reminder: Request Additional Budget'
       );
-      approveWithUser('ppg.ba.sme', processInstanceId);
-      approveWithUser('security.sme', processInstanceId);
+      approveWithUser('ppg.ba-a1.sme', processInstanceId);
+      approveWithUser('security-a1.sme', processInstanceId);
       approveWithUser(
-        'infra.sme',
+        'infra-a1.sme',
         processInstanceId,
         'Task: Update Application Landscape'
       );
-      approveWithUser('legal.sme', processInstanceId);
+      approveWithUser('legal-a1.sme', processInstanceId);
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/support/commands.js b/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/support/commands.js
index a878fbf4..5fe791d1 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/support/commands.js
+++ b/spiffworkflow-frontend/cypress/support/commands.js
@@ -42,13 +42,11 @@ Cypress.Commands.add('navigateToAdmin', () => {
 });
 
 Cypress.Commands.add('login', (username, password) => {
-  // Cypress.Commands.add('login', (selector, ...args) => {
   cy.visit('/admin');
+  console.log('username', username);
   if (!username) {
-    const username =
-      Cypress.env('SPIFFWORKFLOW_FRONTEND_USERNAME') || 'ciadmin1';
-    const password =
-      Cypress.env('SPIFFWORKFLOW_FRONTEND_PASSWORD') || 'ciadmin1';
+    username = Cypress.env('SPIFFWORKFLOW_FRONTEND_USERNAME') || 'ciadmin1';
+    password = Cypress.env('SPIFFWORKFLOW_FRONTEND_PASSWORD') || 'ciadmin1';
   }
   cy.get('#username').type(username);
   cy.get('#password').type(password);
@@ -111,7 +109,7 @@ Cypress.Commands.add(
     if (expectAutoRedirectToHumanTask) {
       // the url changes immediately, so also make sure we get some content from the next page, "Task:", or else when we try to interact with the page, it'll re-render and we'll get an error with cypress.
       cy.url().should('include', `/tasks/`);
-      cy.contains('Task: ');
+      cy.contains('Task: ', { timeout: 10000 });
     } else {
       cy.contains(/Process Instance.*[kK]icked [oO]ff/);
       cy.reload(true);