Many industries share common problems that can be lumped into a focus on process efficiency and effectiveness. Decision Management Systems, by handling critical decisions in those processes, can make a big difference on both counts. Some examples follow.
Validation
Has enough information been entered? Does it match other information available and is it internally consistent? This kind of rules-based validation is common to many processes and using a Decision Management System to automate this check speeds processing and reduces manual overhead.
Completeness and readiness
Many processes have steps that are more expensive, such as conducting an inspection or writing a contract. By automating a check to see if the process is ready to go to the next step—do we have all the information needed to effectively inspect this ship or building, to put a contract together for this deal or annuity—Decision Management Systems ensure that processes only move on when it makes sense to do so.
Plausibility
An interesting variation comes in situations where only a human can really tell if something is true or not, such as a customs declaration. A Decision Management System might use rules and analytics to determine how plausible such a declaration is, helping focus limited resources where they will do the most good.
Assignment or allocation
Many processes involve assignments and allocations: decisions about who to make responsible, how to allocate the work involved, and who should do what. When processing speed is important, or when consistency and traceability are a must, a Decision Management System can provide rapid, agile, compliant processing.
Sequencing and Adaptive Case Management
Many processes are increasingly modeled using a more adaptive approach. Instead of laying out all the steps and branches, different clusters or groups of tasks are identified that may need to be handled for a particular transaction or case. Deciding which need to be included, and when, is a task ideally handled by a Decision Management System that is monitoring the case and constantly evaluating the most appropriate and necessary steps for the case.
Dynamic forms
Collecting data from people is a constant challenge. While sometimes a simple form or a form with a few options works well, sometimes it is very difficult for a user to determine what data is required. Each question they answer drives the need to answer, or not answer, subsequent questions. This kind of dynamic questioning is another good user case for Decision Management Systems.
Dynamic Checklists
Checklists are a powerful tool for improving the effectiveness of staff members. But to work a checklist must be very specific. Trying to handle even a small number of situations with a single checklist can make for complex checklists with lots of navigational instructions to make sure the right items are checked at the right times. Instead a Decision Management System can be used to drive dynamic checklist. Very specific checklists generated for each circumstance. All the checks needed for that circumstance but only the ones needed.
Read more in our Decision Management Systems Platform Technologies Report.