Validation Panel

As described above, the matrix can be validated to ensure configuration errors are not made, for example to ensure duplicate rules are not accidentally created. The validate action can be initiated by the user and/or performed on a save of the matrix.

After validating the matrix, any resulting errors will be presented to the user in the validation panel. The validation panel is located under the menu buttons in the editor, and above the main matrix content area.

When a validation is triggered by a user and there are errors to be resolved, the panel will list the errors. On hovering over an error message, the corresponding offending sub-columns or combinations will be highlighted, to direct the user to the error that needs to be resolved. Selecting the message will permanently highlight the offending columns until the matrix is re-validated. De-selecting the message will remove the highlight of the offending columns. The user is free however to minimize the validation panel and continue on with their work if they wish.

Once a save is initiated, the matrix will be revalidated, and if resolved the error will be removed from the validation list.

There are various validations which must be performed by the decision matrix before it can be saved successfully:

• There cannot be any duplicate answers of numeric type for the same question. By this we mean, entering the same value twice, entering a value which is within a range already entered, or having overlapping ranges.
• The same priority cannot be given to two answers for the same question.
• The selections made in two or more different contradiction and outcome combinations cannot be identical.
• For contradiction combinations, there must be selections made for at least two answers and these answers must be from different questions.