Decision Tables

A Decision table is a table of rows and columns, separated into four quadrants and is designed to illustrate complex decision rules
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Condition Stub upper left quadrant Rules Stub upper right quadrant Action Stub bottom left quadrant Entries Stub - bottom right quadrant

Decisionfor presentingLayout Table decision tables. Standard format used

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Decision Stub Action Stub

Rules Stub Entries Stub

Decision Table Example

Like Boss? 20% Pay Raise? Stay Another Year Quit after 2 Months Quit next Week

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1 Y Y X

2 3 4 Y N N N Y N X X X

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Process requires the determination of the number of conditions (inputs) that affect the decision. The set of possible actions (outputs) must likewise be determined The number of rules is computed Each rule must specify one or more actions

Developing Decision Tables

Number of Rules

Each condition generally has two possible alternatives (outcomes): Yes or No

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In more advanced tables, multiple outcomes for each condition are permitted

The total number of rules is equal to 2 no. of conditions Thus, if there are four conditions, there will be sixteen possible rules

Building the Table

For each rule, select the appropriate action and indicate with an X Identify rules that produce the same actions and attempt to combine those rules; for example:
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Condition 1 Condition 2 Action 1

Y Y Y N

Condition 1 Y Condition 2 X X Action 1 X

Cleaning Things Up
Check the table for any impossible situations, contradictions, and redundancies and eliminate such rules Rewrite the decision table with the most reduced set of rules; rearranging the rule order is permissible if it improves user understanding

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Decision Table example: combine and reduce

Conditions and Actions Order from Fall Catalog Order from Christmas Catalog Order from Special Catalog Mail Christmas Catalog Mail Special Catalog Mail Both Catalogs 1 Y Y Y 2 Y Y N X 3 Y N Y X X X 4 Y N N X 5 N Y Y 6 N Y N X 7 N N Y X 8 N N N X

The four gray columns can be combined into a single rule. Note that four each, there was NO order placed from the Special Catalog.

In addition, Rules 1&5 and Rules 3&7 can be combined. Each pair produces the same action and each pair shares two common conditions.

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Decision Table example ~ Final Version

Conditions and Actions Order from Fall Catalog Order from Christmas Catalog Order from Special Catalog Mail Christmas Catalog Mail Special Catalog Mail Both Catalogs 1 2 3
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-- -- -Y -- N Y N Y X X X

Eliminates the need to check for every possible case.

Decision Table example:

checking for completeness and accuracy
Conditions and Actions Salary > $50,000 per year Salary < $2,000 per month Award Double Bonus Award Regular Bonus Award no Bonus 1 Y Y 2 Y N X 3 N Y X X 4 N N

Although the Y-N Combinations suggest a rule, in this case, it is impossible for conditions 1 & 2 to exist simultaneously. They are in complete contradiction with each other. In the final version of the table, Rule 1 will disappear and Rules -4 will become Rules 1-3.

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Decision Tables and Membership Tables

Conditions and Actions
Condition 1 Condition 2 Condition 3 Action 1 Action 2 Action 3

Rules
12345678

Y Y Y Y N N NN Y Y N N Y Y NN Y N Y N Y N YN
X X X XX X XX

Sets A B Y Y Y N N Y N N

Operations AB AB Y Y Y N Y N N N

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Importance of Decision Tables

Aids in the analysis of structured decisions Ensures completeness Checks for possible errors (impossible situations, contradictions, and redundancies, etc.) Reduces the amount of condition testing that must be done

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Decision Trees
Decision trees are useful when multiple branching occurs in a structured decision process, although they can be quite effective when only two decision paths are called for. They are helpful when necessary to maintain a certain order for a series of decisions.

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Drawing Decision Trees

Drawn horizontally Root of tree is to the left side Square Nodes indicate actions Circle Nodes represent possible conditions Circle is analogous to the condition part of an IF statement Square is analogous to the consequent of an IF statement (the THEN part) IF Circle THEN Square

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Decision Tree Example

4
2
denotes end of action
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Ring up sale

Look up card in book

1 6 3 7

Call supervisor for approval

Call bank for approval