SBVR_ — Scope of Rules & Advices – Body of Shared Guidance

Scope of Rules & Advices – Body of Shared Guidance – Rule Sets In evaluating SBVR support for ‘dark’ rules, Mark Linehan has observed that it is important to know the precise intended scope of a ‘dark’ rule – that is, what are all the rules and advices it affects. One suggestion for indicating intended scope is the notion of ‘rule sets’. Don Baisley pointed out that SBVR already has a concept that might serve to delimit intended scope – body of shared guidance. The question arises – is that concept as currently defined in SBVR adequate for the purpose? Keri Anderson Healy noted that there is currently no means to specify sub-bodies, which might be useful or necessary for applying the concept for many organizational needs. Ed Barkmeyer and I have both (in our own ways) expressed very strong reservations about the un-SBVR-like way the notion of ‘rule set’ is often understood and used by current rule technologies. Various people, including Ed, have noted the importance of resolving these questions for the sake of consistent interchange. Ed stated, “I think that failing to deal with rule relationships, … and properties of 'bodies of shared guidance' is a failing of SBVR that may become crippling in certain exchange situations.” (However, Ed also stated, “I also think dealing with it now is out of scope for the FTF. All of this is fodder for SBVR v2, if there is ever a v1.” But I believe I disagree with that. Also, emerging resolutions of 10504, 10505 & 10506 are addressing exceptions and priorities, which he also mentions.) In any event, I pointed out that the issue of intended scope for rules and advices does not apply simply to ‘dark’ rules and authorizations, but to the issue of conflicts in general. More precisely, the potential for conflicts exists even without ‘dark’ rules and authorizations. Therefore, the questions above cannot be resolved under 10504, whose scope is merely the former, but requires its own issue.

The Resolution of Issue 10504 has adequately addressed these points.