Table 1 Requirements for Guidelines Systems

   Modularity

   Support of design patterns

   Code base reuse

   Technology neutrality

   Inferencing-approach neutrality

Parameterization

   Adapting guidelines to local practices or patient circumstances

   Representing non-evidence-based states within guidelines

Extensibility mechanisms

Complex coordination: relation with business workflow systems

   Extensibility

   Integration capability

   Scalability

   Error recovery

   Data persistence

   Human participation

   Auditability

   Productive development environment

Execution

   Execution modes

   Support for multiple guideline versions

Editability

   Collaborative authoring

   Requirements traceability

Integration with existing systems: Use of standards

Knowledge maintenance

   Knowledge Life Cycle Management (KLCM)

   Guideline repositories