Rules and Rule Sets

A Rule is an if-then statement that says, if one or more conditions are met, then take a specified action. A Rule Set is a collection of such rules.

About Rules and Rule Sets

The Case Dynamics interface makes it easy to define rules by selecting fields and specifying matching criteria. When satisfied, the criteria causes any and all actions associated with the Rule to be carried out.

Rules are defined in Rule Sets. Both Rules and Rule Sets can return a value, or simply carry out one or more actions. When satisfied, a Rule can cause processing of the current Rule Set to stop (after taking associated actions), or it can allow processing of the Rule Set to continue with the next Rule in the series.

Rule Set Chaining

Rule Sets can be chained, which means that a Rule can cause a different Rule Set to be processed. When that Rule Set finishes, the processing of the original Rule Set resumes where it left off. (Chaining can go to an arbitrary depth.)

Rule Actions

Each Rule can carry out multiple actions. Here are the actions that a Rule can perform:

• Change Activity Status - Set status of a Case Activity--for example, to mark it completed
• Change Record Owner - Determine the new owner of the Case record
• Complete Milestone - Mark a processing stage as completed
• Execute Rule Set - Chain to a different Rule Set, and execute those Rules
• Invoke Method - Invoke a method in a Java Class
• Post Message in Relay - Deliver a message to a social-networking Relay feed
• Send Email - Send a message, optionally using an Email Template
• Start Activity - Begin a Case Activity that is currently non-active
• Return Expression - Return a value defined by an expression
• Return Step Owner - Determine who is responsible for the next step in the handling of the Case
• Return Java Method Results - Return a value generated by a method in a Java Class
• Update Record - Make a change to the Case record

Working with Rules and Rule Sets

Creating or Modifying a Rule

Once a Rule Set is created, you can add Rules to it.