[defaultcompany]

This doesn’t ring true to me. Having processes which rely on communication between humans using natural language can of course be either structured or unstructured. Plenty of highly functioning companies existed well before structured data was even a thing.

[wavemode]

"Talk to the vendor and see what they say" is an unstructured process relying on unstructured data.

"Ask the vendor this set of 10 compliance questions. We can only buy if they check every box." is a structured process based on structured data.

Both kinds of processes have always existed, long before modern technology. Though only the second kind can be reliably automated.

[yannyu]

Structured data doesn't have be a database. It can be a checklist, a particular working layout, or even just a defined process. Many high functioning companies spent a lot of time on those kinds of things, which became a competitive advantage.

[Spooky23]

Technology folks often confuse structured data needed for their computing function as being needed for the business process.