A discretionary decision is one that relies on the wisdom and experience of the user. It can also be regarded as a question of informed opinion rather than fact.
There are three main approaches to handling discretions in the rulebase (NOTE: References to a "decision maker" should be read as a reference to the user):
The discretion to be exercised is asked as a base level attribute. The user exercises the discretion based on help text guidance. A free text reason box is added where appropriate to collect audit information. This approach is appropriate where questions of fact and value are inseparable in the exercise of discretion so that a decision maker attaches the value to a matter of fact even in choosing to have regard to that matter of fact.
In such cases, exercise of the discretion as a base level
attribute presupposes appropriate data collection by the decision maker. The
help text relating to the base level attribute will need to specify what entitlement
data is more/most relevant to the exercise of the discretion, and suggest
values to be attached to particular entitlement data.
The rulebase collects data related to the discretion and then presents a recommendation to the user. The user is asked to confirm or override the discretion and to fill in the free text reason box for audit purposes. This approach is appropriate where questions of fact and value are separable, but must be reconciled by a decision maker in the exercise of the discretion. For example, the form in which a discretionary provision appears may establish the relevant matters of fact, but the decision maker is required to attach a value to each matter of fact before exercising the discretion.
The rule structure must ensure that the recommendation is known before the discretionary decision is required.
For example:
the child is a good child if
it is known whether or not the child has a clean room and
it is known whether or not the child has gone to bed on time and
the decision maker is of the opinion that the child is a good child
the system recommends that the child is a good child if
the child has a clean room and
the child has gone to bed on time
In such cases, exercise of the discretion as a base level attribute relates to the reconciliation of questions of fact and value by a decision maker. The help text relating to the base level attribute will need to suggest values to be attached to particular entitlement data in the exercise of the discretion.
This approach has two optional paths - the user can exercise the discretion immediately as a base attribute (ie approach 1), or can choose to be guided through the various considerations that must be made in exercising the discretion. A guided data collection process is used to ensure that the user has considered the appropriate factors for exercising the discretion, and that the factors can be reviewed for audit purposes. The user is then presented with a question as in approach 1 that requires the user to enter the discretion as a base level attribute, with a free text reason box. This approach is appropriate where questions of fact and value are entirely separate, in that the only question of value in the exercise of discretion is that it be exercised at all. For example, the form in which a discretionary provision appears sets out the matters of fact which must be considered if the discretion is to be exercised.
In such cases, exercise of the discretion as a base level attribute by a user would relate to whether it is appropriate for the discretion to be exercised following a consideration of the material facts. The help text relating to the base level attribute would need to specify the precise situations (if any) in which it would be inappropriate to exercise the discretion given the material facts.
The default position is to use the direct approach. The recommendation approach should be used in the limited situations where it is possible. The guided approach should only be used where neither of the first two approaches is appropriate. All discretions need significant help text support.