Abstract

This paper reports the action research conducted into the issues of introducing structure into informal information requirements for deciding which constructs are appropriate for describing information requirements. The outcome of this research was the development of a Business Rules Diagram (BRD) and a technique for assisting its construction. A critical epistemological gap is asserted to exist between those who capture information requirements in human activity systems (typically, informally) and those who specify and deliver information systems. The paper demonstrates how modelling business rules can bridge that gap. A definition of a business rule and also a complete description of the notation of the BRD and the steps for its creation are provided.