Decision tables are a tabular technique used to represent complex decision logic in a structured and systematic way.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- They list various conditions and the corresponding actions to be taken based on the combinations of those conditions.
- Decision tables provide a clear and concise format to express logic, especially when there are multiple rules or conditions that influence the outcome.
- They are widely used in systems analysis and design to model logic for business rules, validation checks, and control mechanisms.
Each decision table typically includes four parts:
- Condition Stubs: These define the input variables or conditions that affect the decision (e.g., “Is the customer a member?”, “Is payment overdue?”).
- Action Stubs: These specify the actions or outputs that result from different combinations of conditions (e.g., “Apply discount”, “Send reminder”).
- Condition Entries: These indicate the specific combinations of conditions (usually represented as Yes/No, True/False, or specific values).
- Action Entries: These show which actions should be taken for each condition combination.
Purpose and Benefits:
- Systematic Representation: Ensures that all possible combinations of conditions are considered and handled.
- Improves Accuracy: Helps prevent overlooked scenarios or contradictory rules.
- Clarifies Complex Logic: Makes it easier to understand and communicate decision-making logic.
- Aids Testing and Validation: Serves as a reference for validating system behavior during testing.
- Supports Rule Changes: Makes it easier to modify business rules without affecting the entire system logic.
Use Cases:
Decision tables are particularly useful for:
- Business rule enforcement
- Input validation
- Workflow decisions
- Policy and regulation compliance
- Automated decision systems
Example:
