PowerPoint Presentation

An Introduction to the Business Rules Approach+ lessons learnt from early adoption

1

What to expect in the next 45 minutesBusiness Rules Approach 101 the three pillars of the Business Rules Approach feat. Three Little PigsLessons learnt from early adoption of the Business Rules Approach

3:00 > 9:19What should you expectIf you are one whos already adopted this approach, Id expect for you to go yup, yup, yupbeen there, done that. But hopefully, therell be the odd one that youll go oh yeah, thatd be good to do! And if thats just one, hopefully its one thing that will save you some angst, time or money in the future.Therell also be a lot of general good practice principles that apply, irrespective of the your approach.

Now, what this presentation isnt.Its not an introduction to the Business Rules Approach. If you are not familiar with the BR approach, I suggest the best thing to do is a visit to the bookshop to get one of Ron and Gladys books. That said, I think there are many general principles Ill share with you that are applicable, regardless of the approach you useThat said, this is not a paid advert for Ron and Gladys books. I mention them because Ive found them to be the most effective reference together with the BR Community website.This is not a one way lecture. What Im hoping for is for some of you to contribute your experiences in adopting the business rule approach in yours or your clients organisation.

When I first heard about the business rules approach, I thought to myself Ive been dealing with business rules for ages. There nothing new about it! As I dwelled into it a bit more, the common sense was compelling. My colleagues and I got a tiny bit too excited, and in our eagerness to apply it, we made lots of mistakes to the detriment of some of clients who will probably shudder each time they hear the term Business Rules and never look at this approach ever again. In the mould of many world leaders, Id like to kid myself into thinking that they were collateral damage in the name of a better world.

Anyhow, to cut a long story short, we learnt a lot from the mistakes that we made. Luckily for us, no one diedas far as we know! So here are the 10 lesson we learnt as early adopters. (There were many more but 10s always a good round number to work with and hopefully wont bore anyone too much.)Start (not necessarily finish) a Concept Model FIRSTPre-cook as much as possibleBuild Business Rules 'ConsciousnessSell the Business Rules Approach and Educate the ClientEffective tooling for a good startAgile Right is not necessarily usefulTeaching - The best way to learnEnsure there is sponsorship to keep BR Model alive.Use the Building Business Solutions book

2

Business Rules Approach 101

3 Pillars ofThe Business Rule ApproachThe Concept ModelThe Policy CharterBusiness Rules.

Introducing The Three Little PigsAdapted from a nursery rhyme by the same namePublished in 1890By Joseph JacobsIn publication English Fairy Tales.

The Concept ModelIts all about:Identifying business concepts (Terms)Establishing a consistent business vocabulary setDeveloping standard definitionsIdentifying their relationships with one another (Facts).

Concept Model for The Three Little PigsPigWolfHouseManMaterialApple TreeAppleTurnipFieldeatseaten bybuildsbuilt byblown down byblows downhaseatseatseaten byeaten byownsowned byeaten byeatseaten byeatspossessed bypossessesbuilt fromgrows onhasgrows on

The Policy CharterFour primary conceptsBusiness GoalBusiness TacticBusiness RiskBusiness Policy.Ensure Strategic Alignment (Why am I doing this?)Risk Management Tactics are Actions / Initiatives for Mitigating Risk and Obtaining GoalsPolicies are the beginning of Operational Business Rules.

Prevent pig fatalities through wolf attacks

Pigs have poor negotiating skills

Avoid wolf

Provide fitness classes

Insufficient attendance

Diet

Lack of motivation

Pig is poorly equipped

Run 2kms at least 3 times a week

Fight wolf

Negotiate with wolf

Pig too unfit & slow

All pigs to undertake Negotiation training

Tactic

Goal

Risk

Policy

Apply penaltiesPolicy Charter for Pig Safety Unit

Provide Negotiation training to Pigs

Low take-up

Offer free trainingTrain each pig self-defence

Each pig armed with taser

Business RulesApply consistent vocabulary (see concept model)Operationalising organisational policy (making it real!)Different categories of business rulesSimplifies documentation and maintenance of processNot to be an afterthought (suffers the same treatment as non-functional requirements).

10 Lessons learnt

Lesson #1: Standard Vocabulary Practice what you preach!BA needs BAApply Business Rules Approach to your practiceTwo sets of models Yours (BA Meta Model) and Your Clients (ie. The Business)BABOK is a good start.

12

Lesson #2 Pre-cook as much as possibleTime-poor is normalPrimary focus: to verify, not to gatherMaintains focus on the problemThere is information everywhere!Helps build rapport with your client.

13

Lesson #3Build Business Rules Consciousness'BR Headspace in all your thinkingSpeak their language but think BR approachPut the pieces together in your own time.

14

Lesson #4Work towards 1st Class Citizenship for Business RulesLearn to love whingeing!Apply Business Rules Approach by StealthBusiness Rules have to earn 1st Class Citizenship.

15

Lesson #5Effective tooling for a good startDont wait for the perfect tool to start If MS Excel is all you got, use it but...

16

Lesson #6Agile development of your approachJust start It!!!An iterative approach to your approach!Aim for perfection...but dont expect it!

17

Lesson #7Right is not necessarily usefulBusiness Rules Approach is comprehensive by natureDont Boil the Ocean Clear vision of an deliverables purpose.

18

Lesson #8Teaching The best way to learnMost effective learning method - TeachingLearn from those whom are learningFamiliarity = Adaptability.

19

Lesson #9Ensure there is sponsorship to keep BR Model aliveReal enterprise architecturePreservation and maintenance of corporate memoryAs an asset, its value is in itscurrency, relevance and accessibility.

20

Lesson #10 Have ready-references ready!Building Business Solutions &Rulespeak Sentence FormsServes as a Metamodel for your practice to help with familiarityHelps you sell the approach.

21

Try concept modelling for this!

22

Recap!

Practice what you preachPre-cook as much as possibleBuild Business Rules 'ConsciousnessWork towards 1st Clase citizenship for Business RulesEffective tooling for a good startIterative approachRight is not necessarily usefulLearn by teachingKeep your business rules model alive and currentHave your read-reference ready.

Questions?

Contact DetailsEmail: casper.yeow@chamonix.com.auMobile: 0402480449Twitter: @casperyeowYou can also find me on LinkedIn.

THANK YOU!