Introduction to OMG's new standard DMN 1.0

1. Decision Model & Notation (DMN 1.0) – a new OMG Standard Alcedo Coenen Oct 2013

2. This is an introduction to the recently defined standard for Decision Model & Notation (DMN), published by OMG … … closed with some personal comments and questions. See also James Taylors blog with a good overview of the standard, and the link to the report itself.

3. Proposal for: Decision Model and Notation (DMN) Specification 1.0 August 23, 2013

4. Agenda • Purpose & Overview • Concepts • Decision Requirements • Notation • Use • Decision Logic • Language • Table • Comments

5. Purpose of DMN • Model decisions • Depict in diagrams • Defined by business analysts • (optionally) automated

6. Overview (Contents of the Standard document) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Scope Conformance Normative References Introduction to DMN Decision Requirements (DRG and DRD) 6. Relating Decision Logic to Decision Requirements 7. Decision Table 8. Simple Expression Language (S-FEEL) 9. Expression Language (FEEL) 10. DMN Example 11. Exchange Formats Annexes: A. Relation to BPMN B. Decision Services C. Responses to RFP Requirements D. Glossary

8. Conceptual context

9. More details Main concepts Business Process Decision Requirements 2 levels in scope Decision Logic

10. More details Main concepts Business Process Decision Requirements Decision Logic

11. Main concepts – Decision Requirements Level • • • • Business concepts only Business decisions Areas of business knowledge Sources of business knowlegde Decision Requirements

12. Main concepts Decision Logic • • • • • Greater detail Business rules Calculations Automated Display

13. From Requirement to Logic Decision Requirements Decision Logic

14. From Requirement to Logic SBVR Supported by DMN “This will allow the import of many existing decision logic modeling standards (e.g. for business rules and analytic models) into DMN”

16. Notation • DRG • Decision Requirements Graph • Self-contained, complete for 1 Decision • DRD • Decision Requirements Diagram • = View on DRG • Incomplete, showing specific aspects or perspectives

17. DRG/DRD elements Decision Business Knowledge Input data Knowledge Source = the act of determining an output from a number or input values = a function encapsulating business knowledge = information used as input = authority for business knowledge or decision

18. DRG/DRD relationships = used as input = Information Requirement = invokes = Knowledge Requirement = depends on = Authority Requirements

19. Allowed relationships Decision 1 Decision 2 Decision 1 is used as input for decision 2 Decision Knowledge Source Decision depends on Knowledge Source Input data Input data is used as input for decision Input data Decision Business Knowledge invokes a Decision Business Knowledge 1 Business Knowledge 2 Business Knowledge 1 invokes Business Knowledge 2 Knowledge Source Input data depends on Knowledge Source Knowledge Source Business Knowledge Decision Decision Knowledge Source depends on Decision Knowledge Source Business Knowledge Knowledge Source depends on Business Knowledge Knowledge Source 1 Knowledge Source 2 Knowledge Source 1 depends on Knowledge Source 2

20. Example DRD

22. Use of DMN 1. Modeling human decision-making 2. Modeling requirements for automated decision-making 3. Implementing automated decision-making Decisionmaking Decisionmaking 2 model requirements implementati on 3 1

24. Connecting Requirements to Logic The decision logic level of a decision model in DMN consists in one or more value expressions. Decision Requirements Decision Logic

25. Languages for Value Expressions Possible value expression forms: • Literal expression FEEL = Friendly Enough Expression Language • Decision table • Invocation of a Business Knowledge Model (re-usable function)

27. Decision Table cf DMN 1.0 - principles • • • • Name Set of inputs Set of outputs Rules connecting inputs with outputs IF input expression 1 matches x AND input expression 2 matches y THEN a result (a "hit") is z. S-FEEL = subset of FEEL

28. Decision Table cf DMN 1.0 - styles Rule = row Rule = column Rule = crosstab

30. Semantic analysis (simplified) Output value Authority determines has Decision requires uses has Input value(s) defined by Value expression Decision logic includes defined by Business Knowledge Models encapsulates Business know-how kind of Business Rule kind of Analytical model

31. Question marks • Hierarchy from business process to business logic • => what about knowledge about the process itself? • Distinction DRG vs DRD • Why is the DRG not used in the Example (Ch 10)? • Is it more than a difference in scope? • Decision vs Business Knowledge • What is the difference? • What are they different from functions (transforming input into output)? • FEEL • Why a separate language? • Why no FEEL in the Example (Ch 10)?

32. Alcedo Coenen Enterprise Architect Be Informed a.coenen@beinformed.com