As with decision tables, a decision tree selects one of the available actions or outcomes (a leaf node shown on the far right or bottom of the tree) based on the specific values passed to it by the data elements that represent the branching nodes.

In the following decision tree, the rules in the tree share conditions (represented by earlier nodes in the tree).

​

You can apply your own way of codifying your decision tree (shapes, colours, etc…) to make it more understandable for you and your team.

Decision trees are common in some industries, but are generally used much less often than decision tables.