Chapter 4 – Test Analysis & Design
Business Rule – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A rule that defines or constrains some aspect of the business, intended to assert business structure or control business behavior.
In simple words
A policy from the business (e.g. 'orders over $500 need approval') that the software must enforce.
Exam tip
Business rules are prime candidates for decision-table testing — they combine several conditions.
Related terms
- Decision TableA grid where each column is a rule: which conditions are true and what the system should do about it.
- Decision Table TestingWhen behaviour depends on combinations of conditions (like discount rules), you list every condition and expected action in a table and turn each column into a test case.
- Acceptance CriteriaThe checklist that says a user story is done and shippable.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
40 CTFL v4.0 questions, 60-minute timer, instant scoring and chapter-wise breakdown.
Practice in Mock Test