Glossary This glossary includes a definition for each technical term used in this book. Where appropriate, source(s) of the term and/or the definition are indicated in brackets. Any definition not attributed is by the author. action assertion A rule statement that defines allowable actions, in particular, allowable changes to data. (Term: Business Rules Group Final Report, 2000) active verb phrase A verb phrase in the active voice. active voice The use of a verb phrase such that the subject of that verb phrase is the person or thing performing the action signified by that verb phrase (i.e., the actor or agent), as in "the passenger presents a boarding pass". By contrast, the subject of a verb phrase in passive voice (as in "a boarding pass is presented by the passenger") is the person or thing on which the action is performed (the patient or target). activity conflict rule An activity restriction rule that restricts the simultaneous occurrence of multiple processes or other activities. (Term: Author) activity exclusion period rule An activity restriction rule that prohibits a business process or other activity dur- ing a particular time period. (Term: Author) activity obligation rule An activity rule that requires a business process or other activity to occur either within a maximum time after a particular event (such as the completion of some other process) or as soon as practical after a particular event. (Term: Author) activity pre-condition rule An activity restriction rule that prohibits a business process or other activity unless some other activity or event has previously occurred or some prerequisite condition exists. (Term: Author) activity prohibition rule An activity restriction rule that prohibits a business process or other activity if some event or other process has previously occurred or some dangerous or illegal condition exists. (Term: Author)