Basics for Business Architecture: #2 – Business Processes & Business Rules
Professionals should always focus on business solutions first, then and only then on designing systems. Not just lip service, I mean applying the power techniques of true business architecture[1]. The first of these techniques is structured business strategy. See: http://www.brsolutions.com/2015/05/31/basics-for-business-architecture-1-structured-business-strategy/.
The second technique is business processes and business rules. Effective business solutions require architecting both the following:
- What is done to create value-add (business processes).
- What ensures value-add is created correctly (business rules).
- Business processes and business rules are different. They serve very different purposes: A business process is about doing the right things; business rules are about doing things right.
- There is no conflict whatsoever between business rules and business processes. In fact, they are highly complementary. Each makes the other better. If they don’t fit hand-in-glove, somebody is simply doing something wrong.
- You need both. Neither can substitute for the other. Period.
[1] Refer to the second edition of Building Business Solutions: Business Analysis with Business Rules, an IIBA Sponsored Handbook, by Ronald G. Ross with Gladys S.W. Lam (to be published mid-2015). http://www.brsolutions.com/b_building_business_solutions.php
Tags: business architecture, business processes vs. business rules, business rules vs business processes
Ronald G. Ross
Ron Ross, Principal and Co-Founder of Business Rules Solutions, LLC, is internationally acknowledged as the “father of business rules.” Recognizing early on the importance of independently managed business rules for business operations and architecture, he has pioneered innovative techniques and standards since the mid-1980s. He wrote the industry’s first book on business rules in 1994.