A product rule defines which product options, components or services are required, permitted or incompatible in a configuration. It protects technical validity and guides users toward an orderable solution.
Which product-rule types are common?
- Compatibility and exclusion rules
- Required-option rules
- Quantity and capacity constraints
- Dependency and prerequisite rules
- Regional or regulatory availability rules
- Substitution rules
How are product rules used?
A configurator or CPQ system evaluates the selected products and context, then adds, removes, warns or blocks according to the rule. Rules can also drive bill-of-materials or service-scope generation.
Product rule vs. pricing rule
A product rule determines whether a configuration is valid. A pricing rule determines the price or approval consequence. One configuration event can trigger both types.
What makes a rule reliable?
Give it a clear owner, rationale, priority, effective dates and test cases. Avoid duplicating the same constraint in several systems without a controlled source.
How should changes be tested?
Test valid, invalid and boundary combinations, including existing quotes and orders. Preserve the rule version used for each transaction so later users can reproduce the decision.
