VisiRuleAn overview of
VisiRule™ - a legal decision modeling
tool from LPA
Clive Spenser, Marketing Director, LPA, October 2013
Copyright (c) LPA Ltd 2013
VisiRule ™ is a trademark of LPA
A simple VisiRule chart …
… produces an interactive web Q&A session
… and at the end, a conclusion and trail
What is VisiRule?
• Unlike other visual modeling tools, VisiRule™ is specifically designed for building robust decision models
• VisiRule charts are easy for anyone to make and share - they are created graphically, like MindMap®
• Unlike other computer tools that can interpret and execute visual models, VisiRule helps ensure users create models which are consistent and have a high degree of "referential integrity"
• VisiRule charts can be used other programs and processes
Mind Map® is a registered trademark of the Buzan organisation
What is VisiRule?
• “VisiRule is not designed to automatically construct visual models or executable code from data, rather it is a tool that allows experts to build decision models using a graphical paradigm, like Mind Map®, but one that can be annotated using code and/or Boolean logic and then executed and exported to other programs and processes.”
Mind Map® is a registered trademark of the Buzan organisation
Principle uses of VisiRule
• Compliance and Regulations
• Legal Advice
• Resource Allocation and Configuration
• Diagnostics, Fault-finding, Troubleshooting
• Best practice in all sectors
• Planning and Scheduling
Relationship between chart, table and rules
Using VisiRule, we can draw a simple chart, Fig. 1, where each expression box evaluates a compound logic expression
VisiRule Authoring
• Windows Desktop Authoring tool for specifying decision logic
• easy to use dedicated flow-chart tool which knows a bit about what you are doing and so can you help spot errors and make intelligent changes
• dedicated support for interactive questions and answers
• can handle simple logic and complex logic
• which can be immediately tested in situ using built-in engine
• There is a direct mapping onto flow-charts
VisiRule
• Point ‘n Click to add new objects
• Click ‘n Drag to connect objects
• Delete a link and associated objects
• Edit expressions in-line
• Automatic aggregation for menus
• Checks for meaningful connections
Intelligent Design Tool
• Automatic linking/de-linking of objects
• Horizontal/vertical alignment
• Horizontal/vertical spacing
• Syntax checker for expressions & code
• Show/don’t show information fields
• Propagation of name changes
Question Types
• Single choice questions
• Multiple choice questions
• Mathematical input questions
• Set and text input questions
• Statement boxes for computable questions
• Code boxes for extra functions
Advanced Features
• Incorporate bespoke code
• Access to back-end data sets
• Refer to previous answers by name
• Set inclusion expression language
• Continuation nodes for sub-charts
VisiRule Authoring Environment
VisiRule Authoring Environment
What does VisiRule enable you to do?
• Produce a ‘map’ of your decisions and processes
• which you can test immediately in-situ
• with facilities to generate Decision Tables
• or export as XML data
• Plus you can generate executable code
VisiRule Authoring
• Easy-to-use, familiar representation
• Powerful Graph structure (better than trees)
• Logic-based means reliable and verifiable
• Immediate testing and debugging
• Integration with standard IT architecture
• Questions can use corporate data
VisiRule Web Session
• Questions dynamically generated
• Integration with CSS and HTML
• Optional chart viewer
• Optional question trail
• Answers can be extracted from database
• Answers can be stored in database
Interactive Web Session
VisiRule Outputs
• Charts as shareable diagrams
• Code for exporting and embedding
• Text for exporting, editing and exploring
• Generation of test suites
• Decision Tables for auditing and documentation
A simple VisiRule chart …
Generated Decision Table
Generated Decision Table
Generated XML Table
Goals of VisiRule
• Makes technology available to non-programmers via familiar visual paradigm
• Question and answer-based processes which can be rapidly tested and deployed
• Rapid prototyping environment but charts can be used to deliver actual applications
• Run-time architecture integrates into existing web and desktop standards
Features of VisiRule AutomationFeatures of VisiRule Automation
• Interactive tool helps you untangle and organize your logic
• which you can test and validate immediately• and produce shareable diagrams which
communicate what to do and when• Diagrams which can be published to the web to
help guide and advise people• with questions and answer session recorded
• Interactive tool helps you untangle and organize your logic
• which you can test and validate immediately• and produce shareable diagrams which
communicate what to do and when• Diagrams which can be published to the web to
help guide and advise people• with questions and answer session recorded
Benefits of VisiRule AutomationBenefits of VisiRule Automation
• Consensus building decision making• Knowledge sharing and management• Improved consistency• Increased productivity• Less mistakes• Reduced risk• Increased and faster availability• Access to expert advice and know-how
• Consensus building decision making• Knowledge sharing and management• Improved consistency• Increased productivity• Less mistakes• Reduced risk• Increased and faster availability• Access to expert advice and know-how
Future plans for VisiRuleFuture plans for VisiRule
• Extended chart viewer to aid navigation• Ability to answer questions out of sequence• Enable server to identify potential solution paths
• Extended chart viewer to aid navigation• Ability to answer questions out of sequence• Enable server to identify potential solution paths