At a recent planning session, we outlined ideas for our work during 2004 and beyond. 

When we initially identified our approach to publishing papers, we described an approach consisting of three aspects, as sketched out below: 

Specifically, this includes

1. A Core Paper that reflects the input and consensus of the group as a whole.
   • growing out of our original ('classic') business rules white paper
2. A series of more focused, topical papers (Topical View papers) that are developed by special interest sub-groups and presented to the group as a whole for discussion.
   • expanding on some aspect of a Core Paper, and
   • more specialized than a Core Paper, e.g., of interest to a more specialized audience, or presenting advanced material.
3. Overview material that summarizes our work for interested external parties.
   • a "marketing" big picture summary of the Core Paper and its currently-available Topical Views.

Our current list of candidate topics for follow-on work (after the response to Business Semantics of Business Rules from 3rd quarter 2004).  It contains both 'Core Paper' work product activites and special-interest 'Topical View' activities.

Define what a 'business rule' is from the 'scoping' (Zachman row-1) perspective. Complete defining what a 'business rule' is from the business perspective (Zachman row-2). Select another aspect of the business perspective (single other cell of Zachman row-2) and define what a 'business rule' is for that aspect. Select the 'fact model' (later redefined to be the 'business concept') aspect. Select the 'work flow' aspect. Develop a worked example (using EU-Rent). Define (graphical) conventions for representing a 'fact model' (or 'business concepts model') Define how business rules fit with 'use case'. Define a rule language. Define a business rule engine. Define a business rule management environment (BRME). Revise the 'business rule' section of the Business Rule Motivation Model (BRMM) paper. Note: This requires a piece of 3a be developed. Revise our original ('classic') paper, incorporating new insights gained from work-to-date.

We have to resolve how, in the future, we can work most effectively on two fronts.  First, we recognize that:

• Our strength has been in working as a group in our areas of expertise. 

• We have benefited by exploring together areas where others are not working strongly -- new uncharted territory. 

Second, we also feel very positive about working in consortium with the Business Rules Team -- and some of the items on our candidate list would fit well with other OMG requests. 

Over the next few months, as the Business Rules Team refines its submission to the OMG (final version must be presented in August 2004), the Business Rules Group will need to decide what comes next: 

• Given its resources, what its highest priorities must be?

• Which approach would best fit each one -- independent trailblazing or collaboration?

• Collaboration with whom?

1. Core Paper Topics -- Two items were selected as the active Core Paper topics to be worked by the group as a whole: 
   1. item 3a -- given the working title of "Organizing Business Concepts" (OBC)

   2. item 9 -- given the working title "Business Rule Management Environment" (BRME)

2. Special Interest Topics -- Three items were called out from the list as topics that could be pursued in parallel.  One person needs to take the lead, and recruit & organize a working sub-group.
   1. a worked 'real world' example for EU-Rent, including implementation of the model in Access [lead, John Hall]
   2. the soft side of motivation -- the area of 'decisions' [lead, to-be-named]
   3. the 'motivation model' of our group, developed into a working example [lead, to-be-named]

When there is progress to report by any of the sub-groups, the group's leader should request time on the next meeting's agenda for presentation and feedback.

Other special interest topics can, of course, be proposed for addition to the list by any member.