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What is DMN?

DMN (Decision Model and Notation) allows you to create decision tables for evaluating results based on given inputs. It offers a graphical representation of decision-making logic that is easily understandable.

Decision Requirements Diagram (DRD)

  • At the top level, DMN uses a Decision Requirements Diagram (DRD) to represent the structure of decisions and their dependencies.
  • The DRD consists of nodes representing decisions, input data, and knowledge sources, connected by arrows indicating the relationships between them.

Decision Tables

  • A decision table is a fundamental component of DMN, used to model decision logic.
  • Decision tables consist of columns representing input variables, output variables, and decision rules.
  • Each row in a decision table represents a combination of inputs and specifies the corresponding output or decision to be made.

Input Data

  • Input data represents the information or data elements that are required for making decisions.
  • Input data elements are often represented as external to the decision logic itself, and their values are provided as input when evaluating decisions.

Decision Logic

  • DMN provides various constructs to represent decision logic, including decision tables, business knowledge models, and decision trees.
  • Decision logic defines the rules or conditions based on which decisions are made.

Output Expressions

  • DMN allows the definition of output expressions within decision models, which specify how output results should be calculated based on input data.
  • Output expressions can use various constructs such as mathematical expressions, text concatenation, or logical operations to determine the output result.

Decision Results

  • Once a decision model is evaluated based on the provided input data and decision logic, it produces a decision result, which includes the output result(s) of the decision(s) made.
  • The decision result represents the final outcome or decision produced by the decision model.