diff --git a/packages/core/data/observable/index.d.ts b/packages/core/data/observable/index.d.ts
index f28756d12..61366b1b6 100644
--- a/packages/core/data/observable/index.d.ts
+++ b/packages/core/data/observable/index.d.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@ export interface EventData {
 	object: Observable;
 }
 
+
+export interface NotifyData extends Partial<EventData> {
+	eventName: string;
+	object?: Observable;
+}
+
+
 /**
  * Data for the "propertyChange" event.
  */
@@ -136,7 +143,7 @@ export class Observable {
 	 * Notifies all the registered listeners for the event provided in the data.eventName.
 	 * @param data The data associated with the event.
 	 */
-	notify<T extends EventData>(data: T): void;
+	notify<T extends NotifyData>(data: T): void;
 
 	/**
 	 * Notifies all the registered listeners for the property change event.
diff --git a/packages/core/data/observable/index.ts b/packages/core/data/observable/index.ts
index 8c3dd8a46..8defcec8b 100644
--- a/packages/core/data/observable/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core/data/observable/index.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ export interface EventData {
 	object: Observable;
 }
 
+export interface NotifyData extends Partial<EventData> {
+	eventName: string;
+	object?: Observable;
+}
+
 export interface PropertyChangeData extends EventData {
 	propertyName: string;
 	value: any;
@@ -147,13 +152,13 @@ export class Observable implements ObservableDefinition {
 		}
 	}
 
-	public notify<T extends EventData>(data: T): void {
-		const eventClass = this.constructor.name;
-		
+	public notify<T extends NotifyData>(data: T): void {
+		const eventData = data as EventData;
+		eventData.object = eventData.object || this;
 
 		const observers = <Array<ListenerEntry>>this._observers[data.eventName];
 		if (observers) {
-			Observable._handleEvent(observers, data);
+			Observable._handleEvent(observers, eventData);
 		}
 
 	}