DSS Configurations

•It supports individual members and an entire team.

•It is used repeatedly and constantly.

•It has three major components: data, models, and a user interface.

•It uses subjective, personal, and objective data.

•It is used in the private sector.

•It helps the user to make faster, smarter, better decisions.

DSS Versus EDP

Dimension DSS EDPUse

User

Goal

Time horizon

Objective

Active

Line and staff management

Effectiveness

Present and future

Flexibility

Passive

Clerical

Mechanical efficiency

Past

Consistency

Concepts Underlying DSS Definitions

Source DSS Defined in Terms ofGorry and Scott-Morton (1971)

Little (1970)

Alter (1980)

Moore and Chang (1980)

Bonczek et al. (1989)

Keen (1980)

Problem type, system function (support)

System function, interface characteristics

Usage pattern, system objectives

Usage pattern, system capabilities

System components

Development process

What is a DSS Application

•A DSS is an approach (or methodology) for supporting decision- making. It uses an interactive, flexible, adaptable CBIS especially developed for supporting the solution to a specific nonstructured management problem. It uses data, provides an easy user interface, and can incorporate the decision-maker’s own insights.

•In addition, a DSS usually uses models and is built (often by end-users) by an interactive and iterative process. It supports all phases of decision-making and may include a knowledge component.

•Finally, a DSS can be used by a single user on a PC or can be Web- based for use by many people at several locations.

Key Characteristics and Capabilities of DSS

DSS

Semistructuredand unstructured

problems

1

Supportmanagers at

all levels

2

Supportindividualsand groups

3

Interdependentor sequential

decisions

4

Supportintelligence,

design, choice,implementation

5

Support varietyof decision

processes and styles

6

Adaptableand

flexible

7

Interactiveease of use

8Effectiveness,not efficiency

9

Humans controlthe machine

10

Ease ofdevelopmentby end users

11

Modelingand analysis

12

Data access

13Standalone,

integration andWeb-based

14

A Schematic View of DSS

Othercomputer-based

systems

Knowledge-basedsubsystems

Userinterface

Manager (user)Organizational KB

Data: externaland internal

Internet,intranets,extranets

Datamanagement

Modelmanagement

Externalmodels

The Structure of the Model Management Subsystem

Models (Model Base)

•Strategic, tactical, operational•Statical, financial, marketing, management science, accounting, engineering, etc.•Model building blocks

Model Base Management

•Modeling commands: creation•Maintenance: update•Database interface•Modeling language

ModelDirectory

Model execution,integration, and

command processor

Knowledge-basedsubsystem

Datamanagement

Interfacemanagement

Schematic View of the User Interface System

Data Managementand DBMS

User InterfaceManagement

System (UIMS)

Knowledge-basedsubsystem

Model Managementand MBMS

Natural LanguageProcessor

Input OutputAction DisplayLanguages Languages

Users

Printers, Plotters

PC Display