Decision Model and Notation (DMN)

The DMN standard utilizes visual models which are standardized, verifiable, and where the model serves as both the human readable documentation and as the executable source for the decision automation engine. DMN is designed so that executable decision logic can be fully defined and tested by subject matter experts, i.e., non-programmers. DMN focusses on decisions as specific, reusable business logic modules that are high-level tangible business asset artifacts, usually created and maintained by business subject matter experts (SMEs). A DMN business decision can be automated directly from the visual model into decision engines without IT translation.

DMN works on the principle of defining business decisions where a decision answers a specific business question. The answer (output) of the decision is based on the values of pre-defined input variables to the decision logic in an Inputs → Decision Logic → Answers (output) style. DMN also provides the Friendly Enough Expression Language (FEEL), a simple but powerful way to provide logical, textual, mathematical, list processing, interval, date/time and other functions business people need to make decisions thus supporting both IT professionals and subject matter experts (SMEs).

Do you know decision modeling notation (the DMN specification) defines three incremental levels of conformance in a software implementation? A product that complies at one level must also be compliant with any preceding levels. DMN Conformance Level 3 is the level that includes the requirements in conformance levels 1 and 2, and fully supports Friendly Enough Expression Language (FEEL) expressions, the full set of boxed expressions, and fully executable decision models. This is the highest DMN conformance level. Trisotech supports DMN conformance level 3.

Who Uses DMN?

Because DMN is a vendor-independent standard, as opposed to business rules management systems (BRMS) which are vendor proprietary, and because DMN focuses on decisions instead of rules, DMN has been rapidly growing as a replacement for BRMS.

Typical use cases for DMN decision model notation fall into one of three categories:

The third use case has become a new standard in digital transformation practices because DMN decision modeling is the precondition for decision automation which in turn is a precondition for most digital business automation. Decision automation ensures reusable business decisions are made consistently and accurately. The encapsulation of business decision logic with DMN also allows business process workflows or business decisions to change without impacting one another.

Using DMN over the traditional business rules approach provides additional benefits. With BRMS, the business rules focus on logic implementation whereas the decision approach presents a high-level big picture view first instead of immediate low-level implementation without the decision context of the solution. DMN also provides a proper decision modeling notation style for decision tables, promotes collaboration and reuse, and provides an effective requirements modeling approach for predictive analytics projects that can incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in an explainable context. All this makes real-world decision modeling with DMN appropriate for shared strategic, tactical, and operational decisions while delivering increased business agility to adapt to changing market and technology conditions.

More about Business Rules and Decision Management

DMN is being used in almost every sector of business and government including national and state governments, retail, agribusiness, financial services, healthcare, transportation, and energy. DMN decision modeling notation is also being included as a primary component in other standards.

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) BABOK, has made DMN a standard for Business Analysis thus placing significant emphasis on decision making by business analysts.

BPM+ Health™, a healthcare community that develops best practices using DMN, BPMN, and CMMN modeling for sharing clinical pathways, clinical guidelines, and other healthcare knowledge to maximize their usefulness and increase their adoption.

MISMO® (Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization), proclaimed as the “Language of Lending” for exchanging information and conducting business in the U.S. mortgage finance industry, has made the DMN standard the MISMO-approved standard for documentation, implementation, execution and exchange of business rules and decisions across the mortgage industry.