Fundamentals
The Concept of RuleConnect.
The idea behind RuleConnect is to link relevant documents, rules and implementations in time in such a way that if one of these elements changes, the linked structural elements immediately recognize that they need to be updated.
Conceptual layers of RuleConnect.
RuleConnect comprises three structural layers. Documents such as legal texts or other formal or informal operational guidelines form the source of rules. Rules represent the interpretation of the text sections in one or more documents. Finally, the implementation of these rules in one or more IT applications represents the lowest layer.
The knowledge graph of RuleConnect.
All structural elements of the various conceptual data layers are revised in RuleConnect with temporal validity periods. The resulting revisions of the different structural elements are linked in a comprehensive knowledge graph.
1Create a document.
The logical way to start is to create a source document with rule specifications. Each section of the document is either marked as irrelevant comments or linked to a rule. Working through all sections of text ensures that the document has been fully covered.
2Create and link the rules.
Rules are created directly from text sections in documents or are created separately and linked to them. Rules interpret and elaborate on the specifications formulated in individual or multiple documents.
3Create and link the rule implementations.
Finally, the implementations of rules for one or more IT applications are created and linked. Specific configuration details for the IT applications are described.
Sustainable consistency.
The creation and linking of documents, rules and implementations, which are revised over time, creates a knowledge graph with temporal links between the data layers.
If a document is revised, a new revision is created for it. If this results in rule changes, new revisions are also created here. Since implementation details are linked in time with the rule revisions, targeted information for adapting the implementations is generated from the rule changes.
This temporal linking keeps documents, rules and implementations consistent.
Key Features
Working with RuleConnect.
RuleConnect enables simple and centralized management of rules and their links to source documents and applications.
Structural elements.
RuleConnect connects source documents with rules and their implementations in IT applications. These structural elements are accessible in an overall view as well as in individual areas.
List views.
List views are used to navigate and search for elements in RuleConnect. Different kind of views provide a quick overview of the linked structural elements and their validity status.
Detail views.
Detailed views display the information of individual structural elements. For a better user experience, the reading view differs from the editing view. In addition to editing the information, detailed views offer personal notes, bookmarking and watchlisting.
Extensive search.
The comprehensive search enables filtering and searching across all saved structural elements. In addition to user-defined filters, a comprehensive full-text search is possible.
Dashboard.
The dashboard shows important KPIs for all structural elements and provides links for direct filtering.
Bookmarks.
Selections from filters and search entries can be saved as favorites just like individual elements.
Customization.
Groups and roles can be used to restrict content, functions and representations for users. Using the concept of labels and tags, filters can be defined in a user-defined manner and mandatory information can be enforced for structural elements.
Administration.
In addition to managing users and configuring filters and user instructions, data can be imported and exported in various formats.
Alerts.
Users receive information about changes and alerts to their own structural elements as well as to items on their watchlist.
Key Features
Features of RuleConnect.
RuleConnect offers advanced features to document rules and their links in an auditable manner.
Trackable revisioning.
The system supports a performant versioning and revisioning mechanism for documents, rules and applications.
Granular permissions.
Create custom roles with specific permissions for more control.
Connecting applications.
Applications and training documents can be linked to individual rules so that rule changes are immediately recognizable for those responsible.
SaaS solution.
No complex implementation and no huge initial invest needed. No ongoing operational and maintenance costs.
Extensive search and filter options.
The system offers a full text search and configurable filter options across all related entities and their properties.
Notifications.
The system provides users with information about recent changes and warnings.
Linking document sections.
Rules can be linked to documents on a fine-grained section level. This enables the system to check the completeness of the document interpretation.
Key Concepts
Principles of RuleConnect.
A central workflow ensures a uniform interpretation of rules as well as efficiency and consistency when adapting rule implementations.
Rule sources.
The central structural element of RuleConnect is the rule.
Rules must always be linked to one or more sections of at least one source document and represent the interpretation of the linked specification.
Source documents can be created from official legal texts or from less formal sources such as emails, minutes or other notes from clients for legal or operational specifications.
If rules are not linked, the user receives a warning that the rule is not linked to any source.
Rule completeness.
Document sections can serve as a source for rules. In addition, sections without rule relevance can also be marked as comments.
By marking documents as a rule reference or as a comment, the editing progress of a document can be calculated. The goal is to mark each document completely to ensure that all of the specifications of a document have been recorded and interpreted.
Rule implementations.
The implementation of rules is documented via implementation details that connect the rules to IT applications.
A rule can be implemented via several implementation details. However, an implementation detail can also implement several rules at the same time.
The source code or the configuration of an IT system for an implementation detail can be stored as text or a table and integrated via a Git repository, so that those responsible for the system can see the exact implementation of a rule within RuleConnect.
Rule consistency.
Documents, rules and implementations have revisions with validity periods. The comprehensive check of the validity periods across all linked structural elements avoids inconsistent states of the related elements.
If, for example, the content of a specification changes, a new document revision is created with a new validity period. All rules that are no longer linked after the specification has been changed receive a warning that the source document ends before the rule.
If, however, a rule is adjusted because the specification has been changed or because the rule is interpreted differently, the implementation details also receive a message that they no longer match the current rule revision.
Case Studies
Use Cases for RuleConnect.
RuleConnect makes your rule management fit for the future and creates the prerequisites for an efficient realization of further plans such as the implementation of central rule engines or the connection of external business intelligence applications.
Crew Rule Management.
Complex crew planning processes and the crew planning rules that must be followed pose major challenges for aviation companies.
Legal and operational requirements for crew planning can require extensive interpretation and can be applied differently for the different planning phases. In addition to legal regulations, economic objectives, operational stability and aspects of crew workload must be taken into account and implemented in various IT systems.
RuleConnect was originally developed for documentation in this complex environment.
Develop or Change IT Applications.
When introducing optimizers or other new IT systems or when changing existing IT systems, the rules to be implemented represent the main part of the functional requirements when using standard software.
Due to the consistent documentation of the rules and the linking of implementation details from existing systems to the rules, RuleConnect is very well suited to extracting the rule requirements to be implemented for new systems.
The rules and implementations in RuleConnect as well as their sources can be documented and the set of rules to be implemented can then be easily selected.
Knowledge Transfer and Retention.
Often, the knowledge of how to interpret certain rules and their specific implementation leaves the company when the employees who are familiar with them leave the company.
By explicitly describing the rule interpretations and documenting the specific implementations in the various IT systems, RuleConnect is an ideal platform for sustainably maintaining knowledge about legal and operational rules, including quality objectives.
