How to Choose Between Standard and Advanced Decision Table Types

Standard Decision Table

A bank wants to offer a special loan to customers who meet at least one of these criteria:

• Condition 1: The customer has a credit score greater than 700.
• Condition 2: The customer has been an active user of the bank for more than 5 years till 2024.
• Condition 3: The customer has a monthly income greater than $5,000.
• Condition 4: The customer holds investments worth more than $100,000 in the bank.

The decision to offer the loan is based on OR conditions across these criteria. The decision table condition logic for this scenario is 1 OR 2 OR 3 OR 4.

To determine loan eligibility, review the sample customer details. Each criteria is captured as an input condition field and the loan eligibility output is captured as a result field in the decision table. Customers are eligible if any one of the conditions is met.

As the rule in this scenario uses only OR conditions, it’s considered complex, and a standard decision table type must be used.

Advanced Decision Table

A utility company wants to reward residential customers who cut energy use. They are offering financial incentives to customers who use less energy, use energy-efficient technology, or join energy-saving programs.

A customer’s eligibility for the energy-saving incentive is determined by these criteria:

• Condition 1: Energy Consumption Reduction: The customer reduces their energy consumption by at least 15% compared to the previous year.
• Condition 2: Energy-Efficient Technology: The customer has installed an energy-efficient heat pump.
• Condition 3: Participation in Utility Programs: The customer participates in at least one utility energy-saving program, such as a demand response program or time-of-use pricing.
• Condition 4: Annual Energy Usage: The customer uses less than 20,000 kWh annually.

The decision to award the incentive is based on a combination of AND and OR conditions. The decision table condition rule logic for this scenario is 1 AND (2 OR 3) AND 4. To get the energy-saving incentive, a customer must satisfy these conditions:

• 1 and 4
• Either 2 or 3

Review some of the sample customer details based on which the customer’s eligibility is determined. Each criteria is captured as an input condition field and the incentive eligibility output is captured as a result field in the decision table.

As the rule in this scenario uses a combination of AND and OR conditions, it’s considered simple, and an advanced decision table type must be used.

Advanced Decision Table

A health insurance company wants to offer a wellness incentive to customers who meet specific health criteria. The eligibility for the wellness incentive is determined by these criteria:

• Condition 1: The customer has completed an annual health check-up.
• Condition 2: The customer has a BMI (Body Mass Index) within the healthy range (18.5 - 24.9).
• Condition 3: The customer participates in a fitness program.
• Condition 4: The customer has a non-smoker status.

The customer must have completed an annual health check-up, and must either have a BMI within the healthy range, or participate in a fitness program, or be a non-smoker.

The decision to award the wellness incentive is based on a combination of AND and OR conditions. The decision table condition rule logic for this scenario is 1 AND (2 OR (3 OR 4)).

Review some of the sample customer details based on which the customer’s eligibility is determined. Each criterion is captured as an input condition field and the incentive eligibility output is captured as a result field in the decision table.

As the rule in this scenario uses a combination of AND and OR conditions, and at least one input column is required and uses the Equals operator, it’s considered simple, and an advanced decision table type must be used.