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The #1 reason software development projects fail has nothing to do with coding: Simply put, programmers are programming the wrong things, and no amount of cleverness in coding can compensate. The solution is a more intelligent approach to defining the requirements of information systems: one that draws upon the concept of "business rules," to plan software which is thoroughly aligned with business goals. Leading consultant Tony Morgan begins by outlining an "alternative future," in which the development of new IT systems is driven by structured descriptions of a business and its key goals. He thoroughly explains the ideas behind business rules, helping IT professionals establish a systematic framework for identifying them, and for validating the business logic underlying them -- thereby dramatically reducing cost and risk. Next, he presents realistic mechanisms for translating business rules into software, covering technical architectures, tools, techniques for managing rules and models on an ongoing basis, and much more. For all IT executives, managers, developers, analysts, and project team members, and for anyone with a stake in designing, implementing, and running efficient IT systems.
From the Back Cover
Information systems often fail because their requirements are poorly defined. This book shows IT professionals how to specify more precisely and more effectively what their systems need to do. The key lies in the discovery and application of what are called business rules. A business rule is a compact and simple statement that represents some important aspect of a business. By capturing the rules for your business--the logic that governs its operation--you will gain the ability to create systems fully aligned with your business needs.
In this book, Tony Morgan provides a thorough introduction to business rules, as well as a practical framework for integrating them into information systems. He shows you how to identify and express business rules, offers practical strategies for their use, and explains the key elements of logic that underpin their application.
Topics covered include:
Whether you are an analyst, designer, developer, or technical manager, the in-depth information and practical perspective in this valuable resource will guide you in your efforts to build rule-centered information systems that fully support the goals of your organization.
0201743914B03042002
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Customer Reviews
This is one of two books on the subject. The other book, Business Rules Applied by Barbara von Halle, is more suitable for an experienced practitioner or someone responsible for implementing business rules as an enterprise methodology. This book, however, focuses on the basics and addresses topics, such as object orientation and development, that are not found in von Halle's book. Both books are valuable, but to different audiences.
What I like most about this book is that it painstakingly describes how to define business rules, and how to clearly and unambiguously describe them. Moreover, the approach given in this book employs the object constraint language, which is a part of the unified modeling language (UML) version 1.1. As such it shows how to integrate business rules into use cases, and to develop artifacts that align to organizations that are using UML or the Rational Unified Process, as well as object-oriented frameworks in general.
My favorite chapters were 3, which is about defining business rules (getting them right) and 5, which covers controlling business rule quality. To me these are the keys to understanding and using business rules, and both chapters were clear and filled with examples. I also liked the appendix, which covered logic - another essential knowledge factor for analysts who are involved in requirements and specifications.
If you're new to business rules or are exploring them, start here. Even though the von Halle book is better suited to experienced practitioners, I would still recommend this book to members of that audience who are working in object-oriented environments or are using UML. If you are also using UML, do consider also reading Alistair Cockburn's excellent book titled Writing Effective Use Cases because that book is completely consistent with the material in this one.
This book is a great help for that - it explains where business rules sit relative to business process models and use cases (narratives), what they are and what types there are, and then outlines a method on how to go about capturing and documenting them.
I am using the book for this purpose and its a good starting point; note that I am modifying some of the practices and documentation formats to suit the context of the project I'm working on. The author has no problem with this and in fact cheerfully suggests when it may be needed.
There are also details about maintaining business rules over the lifetime of a system and some technical stuff (now looking to be somewhat dated).
The extra bit of knowledge I would add (from the BA Book of Knowledge) is that if your project doesn't use a separate business rules engine or component, then don't bother capturing them separately but just do what you have done before and put the business rules in the relevant Use Case documentation.
Note to the Technical Folk: this isn't the book for you as it's really for business analysts and managerial types and has very little implementation details (see the DROOLS open source project for an example of these details) If you do want to read it, borrow or interloan it via your local library.
Information systems often fail because the IT analysts, architects and builders don't know how to talk to the non-IT business people. On top of that, a major stumbling block in the development and delivery of effective solutions can be found in problems associated with all aspects of integration. Fortunately, a solid and well-grounded Business Rules approach can offer significant advantages in overcoming these hurdles.
Not many people may realize this, but Unisys was the proud inheritor of almost forty years of knowledge and experience in such key business critical areas as Business IT, OLTP, Mission Critical Systems, Decision Support (e.g. Data Warehousing, MAPPER etc.), Business Modelling (e.g. MAPPER/ESD - expert systems development and delivery - highly integrated Business Rules repository and rules engines) and most importantly major systems analysis, development, delivery, integration and management. Many of these assets were inherited from the hugely inventive Sperry Univac, other great ideas came from Burroughs.
But most of all, the real assets of a smart company are its people - and it shows. Tony Morgan has written a book that meets a real need - i.e. it addresses the question "so what's the big deal with Business Rules" - and in passing, will inform, inspire and educate the reader in a way that only someone who knows what they are writing about can.
The central theme of the book is the application of Business Rules to the task of aligning IT with business goals, a task that is talked about by many, yet achieved by few. Tony Morgan maintains the readers attention by not only giving a clear and uncluttered description, with focused examples, of what Business Rules are all about, but also uses references to other aspects of IT and business - which I found immensely enjoyable.
All in all, I found this book about as enjoyable as having an interestingly pleasant discussion about Business Rules, Business and IT in general over a couple of beers in the local bar. So, I personally would recommend this book to anyone who wants a very good introduction to Business Rules and their role in "Aligning IT with Business Goals".
Best regards,
Martyn R Jones
Listmania!
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