DECISION TABLE

Decision tables are necessitated by the fact that branches of the flowchart multiply at each diamond and
may easily run into scores and even hundreds. If therefore, the programmer attempts to draw a flowchart
directly, he is liable to miss some of the branches.
For Example, University of Madras has the following rules for an M.Com Graduate student to qualify for
admission to MPhil,
1. In each of the 4 subjects 40% or more
2. Aggregate of all subjects 50% or more
3. In all other cases the candidate has to try again.
A decision table for this would beConditions

R1

R2

R3

R4

Each subject > 40%

Aggregate > 50%

Go to MPhil

Try again

Not Applicable/ Error

Actions

Decision Table Structure:

Outcome/ Stub/ Questions

Entries/ Answers

II

III

IV

A Decision table is divided into four Quadrants by horizontal and vertical double lines.

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Quadrant I: (Condition Entries)This Quadrant lists the answers to the condition questions. The notations normally used are Yes or No
(Y or N). Each entry or column in this quadrant is called a RULE. The total numbers of columns or
entries are determined by the number of conditions. In short,
No. of rules= 2No. Of Conditions.
For e.g., 4 rules means 16 conditions.
A rule in a limited entry decision table is column of the table consisting of condition entries and the
corresponding action entries.
Quadrant II: (Condition Stub)This quadrant lists the conditions. The conditions listed must be independent. No two or more
conditions must be dependent. I.e. they should not be complementary (like marks >= 50%, marks <=
50%). Both quadrants I and II are called Condition.
Quadrant III: (Action Stub)It lists out the actions to be carried out. It is suggested to keep the action stub with number of verbal
words.
Quadrant IV: (Action Entries)Depending upon the action entries decision table can be classified into Limited entry decision table,
Extended entry decision table and Mixed entry decision table.
Limited Entry Decision table has Crosses (X) and Dashes (-) entered. A cross indicates that the action
listed in that row has to be performed and a dash indicates that action is not performed.
Extended Entry Decision table has entries (numerical or alphabetical) instead of crosses and dashes.
The choice of the table is formulated depending on the problem, available Software system, need for
standardization, case of communication, etc.
Remember: The conditions in the conditions stub of a limited entry decision table may be in any order,
but the actions in the action stub of a limited entry decision table must be in order in which they are to
be executed.
o

Types of decision tables:

1. Limited Entry Tables: In this type of table, the condition and action statements are
complete. The condition and action entries merely define whether or not a condition exists
or an action should be taken.
Condition entry may contain a y or N representing the existence or
otherwise of a condition.
Action entry may contain a X or -representing the execution or
otherwise of a particular action.

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2. Extended Entry Tables: In this table the action and condition statements are not complete
but are completed by action and condition entries.
CREDIT ALLOWING FACILITY

R1

R2

R3

R4

LOCAL CUSTOMER

OK

OK

NOT OK

NOT OK

IDENTIFICATION PROOF

OK

NOT OK

OK

NOT OK

ALLOW

NO

NO

NO

CONDITIONS:

ACTIONS:
CREDIT ACTION

3. Mixed Entry Tables: It is a combination of limited and extended entry tables. While the
limited and extended entry forms can be mixed within a table, only one form may be used
within a condition statement/ entry or an action statement/ entry.
SUM- GYM
1. Globus allows credit facility to his customers if they satisfy any one of the following
conditions:
Holding the present job for more than 3 years and residing in the same place
for more than 5 years
Monthly salary exceeds Rs.1, 500 and holding the present job for more than
3 years.
Residing in the same place for more than 5 years and monthly salary exceeds
Rs. 1,500
The facility is rejected for all other customers.
2. Select the largest of 3 distinct numbers A, B, C.
3. A Sales organization is seeking to hire some sales- men and sales- women having
special characterstics.They need only unmarried personnel between the age of 18 and
30. If male, they want the salesmen to be over 5 ft. in height but less than 75 kg in
weight and not bald. If female, the saleswoman is to be less than 5 ft. in height and
less than 55 kg in weight and is to have shoulder length hair. Prepare a decision table.
4. Prepare a decision table for each of the following. A cheque is presented at a bank. The
cashier has to decide what to do. The rules state that on presentation of a cheque the
cashier is required to ensure that there are sufficient funds in the account to meet the
amount specified and to check that there exist no reasons why the cheque should not
be honoured. These cheques accepted and which are of out station are charged a
handling fee, otherwise a charge at standard rates will be made.

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SREERAM ACADEMY (FORMERLY SREERAM COACHING POINT)

5. While invoicing each customer, the invoice clerk has to work out the discounts
allowable on each order. Any order over Rs.20, 000 attract a bulk discount of 8%. A
customer within the trade is allowed 10%. There is also a special discount of 5%
allowed for any customer who has been ordering regularly for over 5 years.
Construct a flow chart and a decision table to illustrate the clerical procedure for
working out this management policy.

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SREERAM ACADEMY (FORMERLY SREERAM COACHING POINT)