Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient and user friendly rules user interface with screen shots that can prompt and guide a relatively inexperienced user through the process of defining and inputting valid rules and rule attributes into a price optimization system. In one embodiment, the valid rules and associated rule attributes are stored in a composite map of the rules user interface. The screen shots present choices of valid rules and rule attributes in the form of pull down menus. Upon the selection of a rule type from a predetermined menu of valid rule types stored in a composite map, the user interface presents a set of at least one rule attribute from the composite map which is consistent with the selected rule type.