Business Rule Issues - Case Study Example

Business Rule

Definition of Business Rule

A business rule primarily refers to a rule that constrains or defines certain aspects of a business and normally resolves to been false or true. In simple terms, a business rule is a general guideline that governs the day to day operations of an organization. Most companies institute business rules to emphasize the structure of the business or assert influence or control on the behavior or pattern of a business. Without a business rule, thus, managers are necessitated to make decisions on the go, on a case to case basis where they have to choose between alternatives. Obviously, conducting company operations in this manner slows the progress and processes within a company as well as attainment of the company objectives . While business rules are requisite for the over management of a company, it is pertinent for the management to determine functions of a company where business rules apply. This implies that business rules are applicable to different aspects of an organization including personnel, corporate behavior, processes, and computing systems of a company . An example of a business rule in a company will be a rule that requires the organization to purchase or outsource services from a preferred list of suppliers within stipulated supply schedules. Business rules in an organization might appear in a variety of forms that is either written or orally communicated. Companies are, however, encouraged to document the rules in order to avoid conflict in the future where employees might argue that they were unaware of the existence of such rules. In this case, they are especially written forms of business rules are beneficial to new personnel and interns. Such a process is achievable by hiring an independent consultant or trained personnel with the organization, who is tasked with examining the company in order to consolidate the various methods and standards that are currently in practice . In the latter case of hiring an independent consultant, the process might prove expensive yet beneficial. If used effectively, business rules are especially beneficial to an organization in various ways including increasing productivity, achieving company goals, reducing costly mistakes, eliminating obstacles to market share growth, enhancing communication, increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction, building product and service brand, and compliance with requirements .

Definition of Business Requirements

Business requirements, as the term denotes, are a set of activities that are fundamental to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. For the requirements to produce value, they must be delivered in various forms including software, processes, systems, and products . This implies that they are discussed under a certain context, which might entail procuring software or developing a procedure. Following this analysis, confusion is bound to arise in three instances. One is where personnel or management use objectives and goals to refer to business requirements. Two is in instance whereby workers refer to features of a system, product, or software to mean business requirements. Three is in cases where the above mentioned systems, products, processes and software are assumed to be distinguishable from requirements on the basis of sophistication or details of the requirements . To eliminate the confusion, personnel must understand that while business requirements are not objectives, they lead to the fulfillment of organizational goals and objectives.

As mentioned above, business requirements entail a lot of details as they outline deliverables that produce value for a company. While formulation and implementation of business requirements does not require authorization, in the case of software and systems, stakeholders’ authorization is requisite for their formulation and implementation. An example of stakeholder authorization is in the case of updating or upgrading systems and software . Notably, these requirements are normally listed in a document commonly referred to as BRD or Business Requirements Document. The BRD places emphasis on the necessities rather than on the procedures that should be undertaken to execute the requirements. As follows, there are several necessities outlined in the BRD as stated below.

• Key business stakeholders
• Business background, context, and scope
• Business process analysis and models that are normally described using flowcharts
• Data flow diagrams to demonstrate the flow of data through an array of information systems
• Success factors for the future or for the achievement of the target state
• Constraints inflicted by other systems or businesses
• Data dictionary references
• Glossaries of local terminology and business terms

In view of this information, BRDs across different organizations have been known to have several common objectives. First is to gain approbation from stakeholders. Second is to formulate a basis for communication with a technology service provider on the functions of the state solution in meeting consumer needs and demands. Three is to deliver feedback on the next level of the project. Lastly, to describe the set of consumer needs that will be fulfilled using the solution.

Name

Culture where everyone is treated with dignity and respect

Identifier

BR 1

Description

Class distinction in the workplace should be eradicated. From the top level management to subordinate staff, personnel within an organization should be treated equally to promote a sense of incorporation and respect for each individual. This kind of environment inspires creativity and sharing of knowledge that enhances productivity.

Example

Instead of assigning secluded work areas or office spaces for a C.E.O among other top management within an organization, they should be assigned cubicles or working areas that are similar to those of other employees.

Source

Company culture: Team Organizational Constitution

Founded during the establishment of an institution or during the course of operations

Related Rule

Equality in the workplace

Inclusivity in the workplace regardless of rank and seniority or minority position

Name

Eradicate dysfunctional behavior in the workplace

Identifier

BR 2

Description

Disruptive behavior in the workplace has been known to take a toll on the emotional, mental, and physical state of brittle employees hampering productivity. These behaviors include alcoholism, defensiveness, sabotaging, perfectionism, controlling behaviors, and displaced anger.

Example

Organizations should thus introduce interventions including standardized psychologist tests such as Riso-Hudson Enneagram type indicator and Myers-Briggs type indicator, counseling, and open work forums.

Source

Tom Gegax approaches: Gegax Management Systems

Founded and Published in 2000

Related Rule

Effectively dealing with outliers in a company

Controlling personnel behavior in a work setting

Curbing unethical behavior in a business environment

Name

Promote organizational alignment not rivalry

Identifier

BR 3

Description

Organizational alignment advocates for corporation among various departments within a company especially those with related functions such as Marketing and Sales departments. In such cases departments should realize that they are working together not against each other. Thus, each department should support the other to ensure productivity

Example

Strategies to foster cooperation will include social capital and networks, building trust, collaborative inter-departmental leadership, shared goals and identity, aligned performance management system, cross-functional teams, and rotational assignments.

Source

Workplace Rules of Engagement

Founded during the establishment of the company or after the training

Related Rule

Inter-departmental alignment

Building Inter-departmental cooperation

Fostering Intra-organizational collaboration

Name

Drive accountability and decision making at the right level

Identifier

BR 4

Description

Individuals at every level of the organization should be accountable for decision made within that level as decision made in one level consequently affect decision in other levels of management. This is especially true in a top-down management structure. Besides, companies should encourage decision making at all levels in an attempt to advocate for inclusivity, hence, increasing productivity.

Example

Accountability and decision making can be achieved through decision inventory, decision rights model, and establishing an accountability sheet for every decision made and key stakeholders.

Source

Organization work and decision making policy

Founded during the institution of the company or after training

Related Rule

Decision making within an organization

Understanding decision rights throughout the organization

Growth strategies in the form of accountability and decision models

Name

Encourage Effective Communication not over communication

Identifier

BR 5

Description

Effective communication is essential in fostering positivity and creating a good rapport between employer and employee. This in turn reduces frustrations and workplace stress consequently enhancing personnel morale and productivity. Effective communication can be fostered through active listening, comprehension of project requirements and goals, and engaging team members in preparation and presentation of projects.

Example

Can be achieved through the purchase of training materials from consulting companies that consult in team building and communication skills among personnel, open door policy, emails, use of presentations and visuals, and incentives for well performing workers.

Source

Human Resource documentation: communication policy

Instituted during the founding of the company

Related Rule

Rules of communication in a team environment

Empowering organizations through effective communication

Languages of appreciation in a work setting

Name

Do not focus on wrong things

Identifier

BR 6

Description

While it is imperative for companies to have large followings evidenced in social networking sites, they should be keen to focus on building credibility, trust among consumers, identify changing demands and needs, changing trends, and establishing themselves as institutions that meet clients’ demands within stipulated timelines. By deviating focus from business functions, many organizations have lost their credibility and lost sight of company objectives and goals.

Example

Facebook followers, Twitter likes, and page viewers do not determine the popularity of a product or company. Company should instead use big data, cloud computing, digital marketing, and technology convergence.

Source

Social Media Marketing firms

Digital marketing consultants either through the in house marketing department or independent consultants

Related Rule

Principle functions of a business

Factors of measuring corporate success

Engagement that leads to stakeholder value

SEO strategies in enhancing company brands and products

Name

Provide timely and accurate service and support

Identifier

BR 7

Description

Provision of timely and accurate service and support is applicable in meeting the needs and demands of both employees and customers of an organization. This will inevitably lead to customer satisfaction and creation of trust. In regards to employees it will foster a good rapport, commitment to meeting organizational objectives, and increased productivity.

Example

In regards to employees, organization should comply with rules of revenue agencies in their states, make timely payment of remunerations, and simplify the patrol processing procedures. For clients companies should adhere to stipulated time frames.

Source

Business Rules Management system technology

Related Rule

SMART Goals and Objectives

Strategies for achieving growth for a company

Internal and external activities for promoting company growth

Name

Provide exceptional customer experience

Identifier

BR8

Description

Exceptional customer service has over the years become a business necessity as much as it an acquisition strategy. Companies should not compromise in delivering excellent customer experience since it is imperative in building consumer trust and loyalty to the brand. Likewise it is used as a competitive differentiator in the market among rival companies. With the advent of technology, companies are now using social media dominance as a consumer service platform for building brand and staying abreast with changing trends and strategies.

Example

Exceptional customer experience is heightened through valuing consumer time, offering options and product diversification, meeting consumer preference needs, and valuing customer feedback.

Source

Organizational work policy

Implemented during the founding of the organization

Related Rule

Product branding through exceptional consumer experience

Customer service excellence

Enhancing product offering

Social media dominance as a customer service platform

Name

Focus on actions not just findings

Identifier

BR9

Description

It is normally imperative for an organization to conduct research on consumer needs and trends, market appreciation of their goods, competitive advantage, market niche, and consumer feedback on services and products. However, companies are advised not to dwell on the findings in the form of shortcomings or positive feedback. Rather they should implement changes that will either increase market appreciation or find solutions to complaints forwarded by clients.

Example

For instance, pharmaceutical companies can use software products as SAS systems to analyze clinical data and produce reports.

Source

Data-driven strategy policy

Instituted after the training

Related Rule

Transforming business requirements into system solutions

Management solutions

Name

Collaboration across functions to plan and implement new work and workforce solutions

Identifier

BR10

Description

Implementation of new work and workforce solutions is done in an attempt to increase productivity. For the process to be successful, there should be collaboration between the different functions of a company as well as between management and employees. The primary goal of workforce solutions is to ensure that personnel not only work in clean premises, but also triggers change in employee expectations, perspective, and work habits through the different functions for overall success of the company.

Example

An example of a workforce solution is the 5S systems that is inclusive of scan, sort, store, shine, and standardize phases. To be effective, functions are advised to communicate openly with personnel prior to the process.

Source

Provider of personnel tracking and workforce management solutions

Contacted after the training

Related Rule

Workforce tracking and management systems

Implementation of group solutions for workforce through collaborative efforts

Strategic workforce planning