With the imminent launch of version 11 of the Trisotech platform, I am happy to announce a new version of my DMN Method and Style training, effective immediately. Previously I offered two courses, DMN Basics and DMN Advanced, in which the focus of DMN Basics was top-down logic decomposition using Decision Requirements Diagrams (DRDs) and the proper use of decision tables, including hit policy. Unfortunately, the features of DMN most important in real projects, including Business Knowledge Models (BKMs), contexts, and FEEL, were left to the Advanced course. The new course offering combines Basics and Advanced in a single course, DMN Method and Style. It streamlines the content and refocuses it on material most useful in real projects. It also takes advantage of new FEEL functions in DMN 1.4 as well as new features of the Trisotech platform, including Cloud Datastores.

DMN Method and Style training provides comprehensive hands-on instruction in the Decision Model and Notation (DMN) standard, not simply for defining decision requirements handed off to programmers for implementation, but creation of fully executable decision services used in real-world projects. The training is aimed at technically-oriented business users as well as developers interested in a Low-Code approach. If you can use the Formulas menu in Excel, you can master everything in this course! It assumes no prior knowledge of decision management or programming. Everything is model-driven, not code. We start slowly, with logic decomposition in Decision Requirements Diagrams and decision tables, but gradually build up to all the boxed expressions and DMN’s expression language FEEL. We discuss FEEL variables and types, literal expressions including built-in string, number, and list functions, user-defined functions called Business Knowledge Models (BKMs), and more. We discuss Contexts, calendar arithmetic, list and table handling, and input data validation… everything you need not only for creating executable decision logic but any business logic used in Low-Code Business Automation.

The course is intensive and hands-on with the Trisotech Decision Modeler. Students have 60-day use of the tool to complete the training and post-class certification requirements. The class is self-paced, delivered on-demand via the Scormcloud Learning Management System (LMS). Students interact with the training content in one browser window, and perform exercises using Trisotech Decision Modeler in a second window. You can’t learn DMN simply by watching videos; you need to build and test models yourself. Each part of the training also includes a quiz to reinforce key learning points.

Certification is a critical part of the training and is included in the cost. It has two steps. Step 1 is an online exam based on the quizzes. After passing Step 1, Step 2 is a DMN model containing certain required elements that the student must correct until it is perfect. Experience has shown that the post-class certification is where the classroom material “sinks in.”

Completion of the training and all certification requirements must be completed within 60 days of start. After that, access to the training and tool expire. An extension may be requested for an additional fee, but granting it is up to my discretion. There is a lot of material, and completing certification takes time, so please don’t wait until the end to get started. If, near the start of the course, you believe you will not be able to complete it in 60 days, notify me right away and we can arrange for delayed start. But after a few weeks, this will not be possible.

The course outline is below.

  1. Introduction and Overview
  2. What Is DMN?
  3. DMN by Example
  4. Hit Policy and Decision Table Analysis
  5. FEEL Variables and Types
  6. FEEL Literal Expressions
  7. Business Knowledge Models
  8. Contexts
  9. Calendar Arithmetic
  10. Lists and Tables
  11. Input Data Validation
  12. Certification and Next Steps

Parts 1 and 2 are available for free by clicking this link.

The content of this course is the foundation for another new course, Low-Code Business Automation with BPMN and DMN. Trisotech borrows FEEL and boxed expressions from DMN and uses them in BPMN to make executable process design Low-Code. Actually, Business Automation models use DMN for essentially all modeler-defined decision logic. A bundle of this course with the Low-Code Business Automation course is available at a significant cost savings. In that case, take the DMN training first, then go on to Business Automation.