Subconditions

Subconditions are subsidiary criteria that form part of a larger condition or requirement. They represent the individual elements that must be satisfied for the overall condition to hold. The concept is used across disciplines to decompose complex requirements into manageable parts, aiding analysis, testing, verification, and decision making.

In computing and logic, subconditions are the components of a compound condition. For example, a security check might require that a user is authenticated and has an administrative role; authentication and authorization status are subconditions of the overall access condition. In algorithm design and rule-based systems, breaking a condition into subconditions helps in reasoning about correctness and in implementing conditional branches.

In risk assessment and policy, subconditions are the criteria used to judge eligibility or risk. A loan approval rule might include subconditions such as credit score, income stability, and debt-to-income ratio; all must typically meet specified thresholds for the main decision to be positive. In medicine and healthcare administration, subconditions can refer to secondary criteria or comorbid factors that influence treatment plans or coverage decisions, though the term more commonly appears as subcriteria or related conditions.

Subconditions can be organized hierarchically or in a decision table, and they are often tracked for traceability: ensuring each subcondition is defined, tested, and documented. The precise meaning of subcondition can vary by field, and some domains prefer related terms such as subcriterion, subgoal, or component of a condition. When used clearly, subconditions help clarify complex requirements and improve consistency in evaluation and implementation.