The Make-Buy Decision or Decision Table - Software Engineering Last Updated : 22 Dec, 2023 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report A decision table is a brief visual representation for specifying which actions to perform depending on given conditions. This article focuses on discussing decision tables in detail. What is a Decision Table?A decision table is a good way to settle different combination inputs with their corresponding outputs and is also called a cause-effect table. The reason to call the cause-effect table is a related logical diagramming technique called cause-effect graphing that is used to obtain the decision table. The information represented in decision tables can also be represented as decision trees or in a programming language using if-then-else and switch-case statements. Importance of Decision TableDecision tables are very helpful in test design techniques. Helps testers to search effects of combinations: It helps testers to search the effects of combinations of different inputs and other software states that must correctly implement business rules.Helps to start complex business rules: It provides a regular way of starting complex business rules, that is helpful for developers as well as for testers.Helps in the development process: It assists in the development process with the developer to do a better job. Testing with all combinations might be impractical.Used in testing: A decision table is basically an outstanding technique used in both testing and requirements management.Helps to prepare requirements: It is a structured exercise to prepare requirements when dealing with complex business rules.Helps to model complicated logic: It is also used to model complicated logic.Decision Table in Test DesigningBlank Decision Table CONDITIONS STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 Condition 1 Condition 2 Condition 3 Condition 4 Decision Table: Combinations CONDITIONS STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 Condition 1 Y Y N N Condition 2 Y N Y N Condition 3 Y N N Y Condition 4 N Y Y N Advantages of Decision TableEasy conversion of business flow to test case: Any complex business flow can be easily converted into test scenarios and test cases using this technique.Works iteratively: Decision tables work iteratively which means the table created at the first iteration is used as input tables for the next tables. The iteration is done only if the initial table is not satisfactory.Simple to understand: Simple to understand and everyone can use this method to design the test scenarios & test cases.Provides complete test case coverage: It provides complete coverage of test cases which helps to reduce the rework on writing test scenarios & test cases.Guarantees every combination is considered: These tables guarantee that we consider every possible combination of condition values. This is known as its completeness property. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article The Make-Buy Decision or Decision Table - Software Engineering P pp_pankaj Follow Improve Article Tags : Software Engineering Similar Reads Classification of Software - Software Engineering Software Engineering is the process of developing a software product in a well-defined systematic approach software engineering is the process of analyzing user needs and then designing, constructing, and testing end-user applications that will satisfy these needs through the use of software program 8 min read System Design Strategy - Software Engineering A good system design is to organize the program modules in such a way that they are easy to develop and change. Structured design techniques help developers to deal with the size and complexity of programs. Analysts create instructions for the developers about how code should be written and how piec 7 min read Changing Nature of Software - Software Engineering The software is an instruction or computer program that when executed provides desired features, function, and performance. A data structure that enables the program to adequately manipulate information and documents that describe the operation and use of the program. Characteristics of software: Th 3 min read Benefits of CASE - Software Engineering Computer-aided Software Engineering (CASE) implements computer-facilitated tools and methods in software development. CASE tools were similar to computer-aided design tools used for designing hardware products. This article focuses on discussing the benefits of CASE. Benefits of CASESeveral benefits 3 min read Difference between Decision Table and Decision Tree 1. Decision Table: Decision Table is just a tabular representation of all conditions and actions. Decision Table are always used whenever the processing logic is very complicated and involves multiple conditions. The main components used for the formation of the Data Table are Conditions Stubs, Acti 3 min read Like