Defining business rules

After examining their business processes, the staff members also consider their business rules, the fundamental policies that govern day-to-day life at the park. The rules frequently provide the basis for making important decisions.

For example, one of the rules might be that every animal must be checked by a veterinarian within 24 hours of arrival. If the rule is broken, that might indicate a need to hire more medical staff or to increase clinic capacity.

Questions about business rules include:

• What conditions and events require decisions and actions?
• What should happen when various conditions or events occur?
• What is the flow of information through the existing systems?

Business rules for the park include:

• Animals will be not be kept in temporary enclosures longer than 48 hours.
• Specially trained animal handlers will be notified immediately if a dangerous animal escapes.
• Every animal must be checked by a veterinarian within 24 hours of arrival.