Decision Table Process Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing systems require programmer expertise for modifying applications or processes, making it time-consuming and costly for end users to customize responses to events without access to pre-defined rules and logic.
Innovation Solution
The system allows end users to define conditions and actions in a decision table, enabling them to customize process execution in response to events without programming knowledge, using a client-server architecture with modules for event identification, business rules, and process management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-defined rules and logic are managed by system developers, then system reliability and control are improved, but ease of operation and customization for end users deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments rule management into two distinct layers: system-level pre-defined rules managed by developers for reliability, and user-level customizable rules through decision tables for ease of operation. This segmentation allows both developer control and user customization to coexist without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
Decision tables serve as an intermediary mechanism between the system's pre-defined rules and user customization needs. They provide a structured interface that translates user-friendly condition-action pairs into executable logic, enabling end users to customize processes without accessing underlying code.
2Ease of operation
If end users can modify processes without programming expertise, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses decision tables as a simplified copy or representation of the underlying complex rule execution engine. Users interact with the decision table interface rather than the complex logic directly, abstracting away the complexity while preserving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The decision table structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a user interface for customization, a configuration storage mechanism, a rule execution engine, and a documentation tool. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex systems for each function.
3Manufacturing precision
If programmer expertise is required for process modifications, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
End users are empowered to perform process customization themselves through the decision table interface without requiring programmer intervention. This self-service capability dramatically increases productivity while maintaining precision through the structured framework that guides users in creating valid rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides pre-configured decision table templates and pre-defined rules that users can leverage as starting points. This preliminary preparation allows users to quickly customize processes by modifying existing structures rather than building from scratch, increasing productivity while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Example systems and methods of executing processes are described. In one implementation, a method identifies an event and accesses a business rule to identify and execute a process associated with the event. A decision table is accessed to identify multiple conditions associated with the event. The decision table is also accessed to identify multiple actions associated with the event. The multiple conditions and actions were previously defined by at least one user of the system. The event and the multiple conditions are evaluated to determine whether to perform at least one of the multiple actions.