Explain principle-based versus rule-based process?

In the field of software development, two types of processes have been identified namely:
1. Principle based process and
2. The rule based process

The two above mentioned processes have been discussed in comparison with each so that grasping the concepts of the two processes becomes easy for you!

Principle based Process

- Principle based processes are a must if you want to sustain the current rigorous regulatory environment with better and more effective outcomes.

- This can be thought of as a continuous process that will call for the significant change in the behavior of the organizations.

- The principle based processes are based up on some principles rather than a bunch of rules that prescribe how the outcomes have to be achieved.

- To help the organizations plan their business processes, sign posted information is provided.

- Investment is made in the capabilities of the individual workers so as to increase their rate of experience, judgement, communication and expertise skills.

- Emphasis is also laid on the enhanced knowledge management processes so that the people have easy access to the relevant information.

- Performances are measured against the regulated outcomes that have been clearly articulated.

- Such principle based processes provide flexibility in delivering the outcomes that are required by the customers and the clients.

- Many of the software projects witness a close fit between among their regulatory requirements and the business objectives.

- This also leads to an increase in the responsibility for key regulatory decisions to a much higher level thus raising the difficulty of challenges for the organization, its compliance, internal audit functions and the risk management.

- These aspects are the most affected since most of the support to the senior management comes from these.

- Organizations that properly follow all the principles of a principle based regulatory process are the ones who are benefitted most from the “regulatory dividend”.

- Principle based processes or regulations deem to benefit more from the clients and customers via the fostering of a more competitive and innovative software industry.

- Effective protection is also offered by the principle based process as a result of the meeting the requirements and principles of the software project by the senior managers.

- To keep the principle based processes in existence and continuous use it is necessary for the organizations to work actively with the stake holders and other regulators both internationally and domestically.

- Some of principles are:

1. Efficient and economic project operations.
2. Placing adequate emphasis on the senior management in covering up the regulatory responsibilities.
3. Being proportionate.
4. Keeping regards for the other innovations in the markets.
5. Having proper regard for the impact that the principle based processes have on the competition.

Rule Based Process

Now coming to the rule based processes. These processes are characterized by an exhaustive, localized and repetitive transformations of a shared data object which can be any one of the following:

1. Term
2. Graph
3. Constraint store
4. Proof and so on.

Now you must be thinking what are the rules for?

- They are for describing the transformations which are required to segregate the object description from the replacement calculation.

- There are rules called the conditional rules that further restrict the applicability of the transformations.

- A control is kept on these transformations through the explicit and implicit strategies.

- The rules can be described as a pattern of application.

- A rule can be governed by further conditions that may restrict their applicability.