Abstract: Complexity criteria corresponding to the various data object parameters are received by a processing apparatus via a user interface. Values corresponding to one or more of the data object parameters are determined for a data object and subsequently compared to that portion of the complexity criteria corresponding to the one or more data object parameters. Based on this comparison, at least one complexity parameter rating may be determined for the one or more data object parameters. Based on the one or more complexity parameter ratings, an overall complexity rating for the data object, or an estimated effort for transforming the data object, may be determined. By allowing a user to define the complexity criteria, the subjectivity necessarily present in conventional assessments of data object complexity may be substantially eliminated and analysis throughput substantially increased.