Write Rules for Product Classes first. Writing Rules at Product Class level simplifies the maintenance of your configuration model and saves time - since a parent class' Rules will be inherited by its children. For example, if you write this Rule for a Luxury Product Class: "Luxury Interiors Includes Designer Carpeting", the Rule will apply to all child objects of the Luxury Product Class.

When creating new Rules, remember that the Product Definition is of primary importance in determining which Rules can be written for a Product. If a Part or Part Class is not present in the Product Definition, Rules cannot be written for it. If a Part or Part Class is in the Included pane in the Product Definition, the only Rule it can appear in is in a Removes Rule, and then only on the [RHS].

The examples that follow will use the Product Definition for the Moto car Product Line shown here.

Figure 8- 9. MotoCars Product Definition Information

• New Leather Styles for Bucket Seating are Optional (except N/A on Bon)
• Misty Gray Can't Work With Leather Style "Morocco" OR "Rawhide"
• Create new Part Class named "Floor Shift" since there are two kinds to choose from (manual 5-speed and automatic) It Requires Choice of 5-Speed Manual OR Automatic Shift on Floor.
• When selected, Floor-Mount Shift Includes Bucket Seats
• Power Windows AND Power Locks Includes Keyless Entry System

Summary of Changes Applicable to Individual Moto Models:

• Halogen headlamps now Optional

• Leather Bucket seats now Optional
• Floor Shift can now be Automatic, too

• Leather Bucket seats now Optional
  Floor Shift can now be Automatic