Complex business rules are complex because most of the rules are interconnected. Problems occur when rules are not well defined and change frequently. Further problems can arise if rules in business applications are not separated in well described modules or libraries. For this purpose, experts developed special systems for managing business rules – BRMS (Business Rules Management System).

BRMS systems enable you to develop and validate your business rules separately from your application code. This can be done by persons who are not programmers but understand and know business process well. In this case, business rules don't have to be integrated in source code, instead they are „called“ from BRMS system similarly as other external functions. This way, business analysts can change rules without editing application source code.

BRMS systems are especially useful if you have following problems:

• complex business rules;
• great number of rules for single process or system;
• business rules change frequently;
• you want to predict and simulate effects when rules are changed.

Analogous with database management systems (DBMS) which separate data from programming logic, BRMS systems separate (externalize) your business rules from application core what makes your business application more flexible – business logic is easily upgraded and changed without need for changes in source code. BRMS system can be deployed on different computer system, completely separated from application which uses it. It can also be used by multiple applications, no matter which technology they use (even applications from different organizations).

BRMS advantages are:

• it makes implementation of complex business rules simpler;
• new business rules are easily added and defined;
• simple maintenanceof existing business rules;
• change management:
  • old rules and their validity period are kept;
  • future rules can be defined in advance;
• possibility to model and simulate new business logic.

Nobium can help you to introduce and implement BRMS system in your business environment. Nobiums experts can:

• help you pick appropriate BRMS solution according to your needs and requirements;
• identify all documents (laws, regulations, contracts, policies, procedures, ...) that define your business rules;
• transform your business rules in acceptable format for BRMS system;
• integrate BRMS system into your business application design;
• educate your employees to develop business rules and maintain BRMS system.

For more information about BRMS systems, feel free to contact us!