Upper-Level Decision Tree defines the upper portion of the decision tree. The system allows only one Upper-Level Decision Tree and it will be applied to all Decision Tree sets in the system. Typically, Upper-Level Decision Tree uses high-level variables in the logic, such as Material Type, Traffic Level or Structure Type. Then, the lower level decision trees are assigned to the end nodes defined in upper level decision tree.

The configuration of Upper-Level Decision Tree is done at Upper-Level Decision Tree window, can be navigated to by following the steps below:

  1. Select the Structure Analyst module
  2. Select Setup from the banner menu at the top of the page
  3. Click Upper-Level Decision Tree in the drop-down menu

To view or update the Upper-Level Decision Tree, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Upper-Level Decision Tree window. From here you can make changes on the Upper-Level Decision Trees. Out of the box, the Upper-Level Decision Tree has a Material Type variable. You can either use it as is, or expand from here, or delete all the nodes and configure different variables.

    Note: The set of decision tree variables that may be selected are configured in the Upper-Level Dec Tree Variable column in the Setup BMS Analysis window.


    To edit the tree, use the right-click function to delete existing branches and/or to add branches. The Add command adds a node or nodes as children beneath the node you right clicked. After selecting this command, the system displays a dialog box, so you may enter the number of nodes needed. Then click OK.

  2. Right-click the parent node will open a menu. Select Edit Decision Var Limits (this command is only available for nodes that have children).
  3. The Model Tree Node window will now be open. The left pane, Variables, shows the variables and the right pane, Limits, shows the values that determine which tree branch will be selected. Additionally, in the right in the Node# column you set the branch corresponding on which value.
    1. Select a variable in the Variables pane
    2. The Limits pane will now show the list of options for the selected variable
    3. Complete the node number column for each branch of the decision tree to assign each option to a branch