A
product configuration includes a unique
list of variability features (variants and option groups) and options (variant
values and options) for a model version that is ordered or selected by an
internal engineering department or by a customer. The Product Manager can
define rules attached to a variability feature or a model version to disallow
certain product configurations for technical or marketing reasons. There may be
marketing reasons for not allowing two options to be included together in a
product configuration. Another set of options may be incompatible due to
resource limitations. For example, there might not be enough space for all the
parts. Some parts may only be required when a particular option is ordered, and
so on. A bicycle must have wheels and a seat, but a child's seat cannot be
included with an adult-sized bicycle, and only certain wheel sizes and types
can be included for a specific bicycle.
Variability rules can be one of the following types:
| Variability Rule Type
|
Description
|
| Matrix rule
|
Defines incompatible configurations and
default selections for a specific combination of model version features and
options using a matrix.
|
| Expression rule
|
Defines incompatible configurations and
default selections for a specific combination of model version features and
options using an expression.
|
| Rule extension
|
Performs a further validity check after other
rules have been applied.
|