Business rules are abstractions of the policies and practices of a business organization (IBM, 2023). They provide a formal specification of what a business does with information to decide a proposition (Wikipedia, 2023).
Key Facts
- Definition: Business rules are abstractions of the policies and practices of a business organization. They provide a formal specification of what a business does with information to decide a proposition.
- Purpose: Business rules guide everyday decision-making within businesses by outlining the relationships between objects, such as customer names and their corresponding orders. They enable software engineers and business analysts to apply these rules within workflow tools or other applications to enable process automation.
- Distinction from Business Requirements: Business rules and business requirements are distinct concepts. Business rules provide the foundation for automation systems by translating documented or undocumented information into various conditional statements. On the other hand, business requirements establish the success criteria for a given project and specify the tasks and resources needed to complete it.
- Advantages: Implementing business rules across an organization can save time and money by streamlining work to the right stakeholders and reducing churn. It also lowers the cost incurred in modifying business logic, shortens development time, and allows for faster and less risky changes.
- Business Rules Approach: The business rules approach is a development methodology where rules are in a form that is used by, but does not have to be embedded in, business process management systems. It formalizes critical business rules in a language that managers and technologists understand.
- Rule Engines: Rule engines are programs designed specifically to run business rules. They can execute rules expressed in conventional programming languages or natural languages. Some commercial rule engines also provide user-friendly rule forms such as decision tables and decision trees, allowing business users to check or change rules directly with minimal IT involvement.
Purpose
Business rules guide everyday decision-making within businesses by outlining the relationships between objects, such as customer names and their corresponding orders (IBM, 2023). They enable software engineers and business analysts to apply these rules within workflow tools or other applications to enable process automation (IBM, 2023).
Distinction from Business Requirements
Business rules and business requirements are distinct concepts (IBM, 2023). Business rules provide the foundation for automation systems by translating documented or undocumented information into various conditional statements (IBM, 2023). On the other hand, business requirements establish the success criteria for a given project and specify the tasks and resources needed to complete it (IBM, 2023).
Advantages
Implementing business rules across an organization can save time and money by streamlining work to the right stakeholders and reducing churn (IBM, 2023). It also lowers the cost incurred in modifying business logic, shortens development time, and allows for faster and less risky changes (Wikipedia, 2023).
Business Rules Approach
The business rules approach is a development methodology where rules are in a form that is used by, but does not have to be embedded in, business process management systems (Wikipedia, 2023). It formalizes critical business rules in a language that managers and technologists understand (Wikipedia, 2023).
Rule Engines
Rule engines are programs designed specifically to run business rules (Wikipedia, 2023). They can execute rules expressed in conventional programming languages or natural languages (Wikipedia, 2023). Some commercial rule engines also provide user-friendly rule forms such as decision tables and decision trees, allowing business users to check or change rules directly with minimal IT involvement (Wikipedia, 2023).
Conclusion
Business rules play a vital role in programming by providing a structured approach to decision-making and process automation. They offer numerous advantages, including cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced consistency. The business rules approach and rule engines facilitate the implementation and management of business rules, enabling organizations to adapt to changing business needs and improve overall operational efficiency.
References
- IBM. (2023). What are business rules? IBM. https://www.ibm.com/topics/business-rules
- Software Engineering Stack Exchange. (2014). What exactly is a business rule? Software Engineering Stack Exchange. https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/261305/what-exactly-is-a-business-rule
- Wikipedia. (2023). Business rules approach. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_rules_approach
FAQs
What are business rules in programming?
Business rules are abstractions of the policies and practices of a business organization that provide a formal specification of what a business does with information to decide a proposition.
What is the purpose of business rules in programming?
Business rules guide everyday decision-making within businesses by outlining the relationships between objects, enabling software engineers and business analysts to apply these rules within workflow tools or other applications to enable process automation.
How do business rules differ from business requirements?
Business rules provide the foundation for automation systems by translating documented or undocumented information into various conditional statements, while business requirements establish the success criteria for a given project and specify the tasks and resources needed to complete it.
What are the advantages of implementing business rules in programming?
Implementing business rules can save time and money by streamlining work, reduce the cost of modifying business logic, shorten development time, and allow for faster and less risky changes.
What is the business rules approach in programming?
The business rules approach is a development methodology where rules are in a form that is used by, but does not have to be embedded in, business process management systems. It formalizes critical business rules in a language that managers and technologists understand.
What are rule engines in business rules programming?
Rule engines are programs designed specifically to run business rules. They can execute rules expressed in conventional programming languages or natural languages. Some commercial rule engines also provide user-friendly rule forms such as decision tables and decision trees.
How do business rules contribute to the efficiency of programming?
Business rules enhance efficiency by automating decision-making processes, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing errors. They also facilitate the rapid adaptation of business processes to changing requirements.
What are some examples of business rules in programming?
Examples of business rules include:
- A customer’s credit score must be above a certain threshold to be eligible for a loan.
- A product’s price must be discounted by 20% during a sale.
- An employee’s vacation request must be approved by their manager.