Use case

This use case provides a general outline of how to use Decision Model and Notation (DMN). This is to be illustrated using an application procedure as an example.

Procedure

  1. Model a Decision requirements diagram to define the data that is necessary for the decision object. Not every data object must be used in the decision.

    Model a diagram of Decision requirements diagram type.

    Procedure

    1. Create a diagram of Decision requirements diagram type.

      You can create new DMN diagrams. Various options exist to create a diagram. The following section describes the procedure using the Explorer.

      Prerequisite

      The DMN diagrams type that your diagram is based on is allowed by the method filter used. You select the method filter when you log in to the database.

      Procedure

      1. Click ARIS > Explorer Explorer.

      2. Click Navigation Navigation in the bar panel if the Navigation bar is not activated yet.

      3. Open the relevant database.

      4. Select the group in which the new diagram is to be saved.

        If you open the database for the first time, you can specify the filter to be applied when it opens and the language you want to use for the models. Then click Finish.

      5. Click the group in which you want to save the diagram.

      6. Click NewNew > Model Model. The Model Wizard opens.

      7. Specify the relevant settings and click Finish.

      The diagram is newly created in the selected group and opened for editing in a new tab.

    2. Model a Decision object.

      Decision

    3. Model the relevant input data.

      Decision

    You can now define the data that is necessary for the decision object.

    Decision requiements diagram

  2. Assign DMN context diagrams to describe the data objects.

    Assign each input data a DMN context diagram and specify the input data for the Decision object.

    Procedure

    1. Assign to each input data a DMN context diagram.

    2. Model the relevant Item definition objects to specify the input data.

      1. Open the properties of each Item definition object and select DMN.

      2. Specify your settings.

    You have assigned DMN context diagrams and specified the input data.

    Example

    Example 1

    Item definition - Example 1

    Example 2

    Item definition - Example 2

    Example 3

    Item definition - Example 3

  3. Assign a DMN decision table to the Decision object.

    Assign a DMN decision table to the Decision object.

    DMN decision table

    Procedure

    1. Assign a DMN decision table to the Decision object.

    2. Add Input columns.

      You can add an Input column.

      Procedure

      1. Open a DMN decision table.

      2. Click Add Input column Add Input.

      3. Click the Input column header.

      4. Click Configuration Configure column. The dialog opens.

      5. Enter a name.

      6. Specify a data type. You can create a new object of type Item definition or use an already existing.

      You have added an Input column.

      Tip

      Click F2 to open the dialog. Use the Tab key and the arrow keys to specify a data type. Make your entries and press Enter.

    3. Add your decision rules.

      You can add rules to your DMN decision table. Rules are added in new rows.

      Procedure

      1. Open a DMN decision table.

      2. Select a row.

      3. Click Add Rule column Add Rule.

      4. Enter input and output data and an annotation.

      You have added a rule.

      Tip

      If your mouse cursor is in the row below the last row, start typing to open the dialog. Use the Tab key and the arrow keys to specify a data type.

      1. Add input data.

        You can delete input data.

        Procedure

        1. Open a DMN decision table.

        2. Click a cell in the Input column

        3. Click Delete Delete.

        The input data is deleted.

        Tip

        Click F2 to open the dialog. Delete the input data and click OK.

      2. Add output data.

        You can enter output data in an Output cell.

        Procedure

        1. Open a DMN decision table.

        2. Double-click a cell in the Output column.

        3. Enter output data. Depending on the data types specified for this column, different data types or expressions are allowed.

        4. Click OK.

        You have entered output data.

        Tip

        Click F2 to open the dialog. Use the Tab key and the arrow keys to specify a data type. Make your entries and press Enter.

      3. Add annotations.

        You can enter a text in an Annotation cell.

        Procedure

        1. Open a DMN decision table.

        2. Double-click a cell in the Annotations column.

        3. Enter your annotation.

        4. Click OK.

        You have entered an annotation.

        Tip

        Click F2 to open the dialog. Make your entries and press Enter.

    You have created a DMN decision table.

    DMN decision table

You have specified all expected parameters that are needed to fell a decision.