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In my BRMS adventure I have met and discussed a variety of interesting projects in which our customers planned to use the Business Rules Engine as a basis for managing and modifying business rules. From the first meetings, I was able to note a certain set of recurring questions that bother people/companies considering using such a solution at their company.
In this short article, I will present the emerging questions and challenges from these meetings and try to address the answers.
Let's begin by exploring one of the fundamental inquiries that frequently arises when comparing BRMS to other tools commonly used for rule management.
How Does a Business Rules Engine Differ from Tools Like Excel?
Purpose and Scope:
While Business Rules Engines are specialized for managing business rules within an organization, Excel is a versatile spreadsheet tool. Though adaptable for basic rule management, Excel isn’t purpose-built for advanced or large-scale rule management. BREs, on the other hand, provide a centralized platform, specifically designed for defining, storing, and implementing business logic.
Functionality and Features:
A BRE brings specialized features like versioning, rule testing, and simulation, which are crucial for managing complex rule structures. Version control lets users keep different rule versions for streamlined adjustments, while testing and simulation enable verification before deployment. Excel lacks these features, making it less efficient for handling dynamic or large volumes of rules.
Collaboration and Governance:
BREs allow seamless collaboration among teams, from business analysts to IT, maintaining centralized repositories for rules with role-based access. Excel, by contrast, requires file sharing, which can lead to version control problems and lacks centralized governance capabilities.
When Should an Organization Consider Implementing a Business Rules Engine?
A Business Rules Engine becomes an essential tool when organizations face bottlenecks in implementing rule changes due to IT dependencies. For business departments, it’s often when simple updates require a full development cycle, a delay that hinders response time. For development teams, it’s the continual, minor rule adjustments that detract from core tasks. The need for faster, real-time updates without interrupting other priorities is a clear sign that a BRE could transform workflows.
How Can Business Rules Engines Handle Rules That Are Embedded in Code?
Many companies embed rules within their software code, which complicates updates. A BRE offers alternatives to this traditional approach:
• Using Plugins: A BRE can integrate with rule fragments coded within an application through plugins. This approach allows the BRE to manage execution timing and rule logic, with the flexibility of code-based rules where needed.
• Centralized Configuration in BRE: Another approach is to configure rules directly in the BRE, which acts as a central repository. This keeps rules organized, reducing dependency on code changes and easing future modifications.
Each approach depends on rule complexity, system architecture, and organizational needs, but a BRE provides the tools needed for seamless updates without extensive IT intervention.
Can a Business Rules Engine Work Across Systems Written in Different Languages?
Yes. Many companies operate in multi-system environments with rules written in different programming languages. A BRE solves this challenge with technology-agnostic integration, often via REST APIs. This enables centralized rule management across various systems, simplifying governance and standardizing processes, regardless of each system’s underlying codebase.
What Are the Key Phases in Implementing a Business Rules Engine?
Implementing a BRE typically involves the following stages:
1. Evaluation: Assessing whether a BRE is the right solution through a thorough diagnosis of needs and objectives.
2. Vendor Presentation: Observing BRE functionalities on a vendor-provided example.
3. Proof of Use Case: Testing specific use cases with customer data.
4. Proof of Concept (PoC): Building a framework tailored to the client’s needs.
5. Implementation: Partnering with a dedicated team for successful deployment. The timeframe varies, depending on project complexity and specific requirements.
Conclusion: Is a Business Rules Engine Right for Your Organization?
A Business Rules Engine is invaluable for companies looking to centralize, streamline, and manage their business rules with ease and efficiency. By providing a system that supports quick updates, clear version control, and effortless collaboration, a BRE can help companies enhance agility, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
For organizations in fast-paced sectors like insurance, where frequent rule adjustments are essential, a BRE isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic advantage.
