The DMN definition of ‘decision’ … Sorry, I don’t think so(!)
A person close to the DMN (Decision Model Notation) standard recently wrote:
In DMN a decision is deliberately defined very broadly …
“a decision is the act of determining an output value (the chosen option), from a number of input values, using decision logic defining how the output is determined from the inputs”.
Decisions in DMN can be automatic, they can be used for detection, the logic they use can concern the violation of constraints; I see no problem with any of this.
My Response- A motorist goes thundering down the motorway, well over the speed limit. A radar gun detects it. What “decision” was made? Would a business person ever say the radar gun “decided” the motorist was speeding? … “Determined” maybe; “decided” no.
- A company has the (behavioral) business rule:
A customer that has placed an order must have an assigned agent.
An agent servicing customers who have placed orders retires and moves to Florida (this last part irrelevant). What “decision” is it that says, hey, now have some unrepresented customers and somebody ought to do something about it ASAP?? What “decided” there are now violations?? … “Detection yes”, “decision” no.
P.S. That definition of decision seems a bit circular. To know what a “decision” is I need to know what “decision logic” means. But since “decision logic” says “decision”, seems like I need to know what “decision” means. Hmmm.Tags: decision analysis, decision models, decision rules vs. behavioral rules, decisions, detection of violations, DMN, DMN standard, modeling decisions, violation
