An Introduction to Decision Support Systems MIS 533

Information Requirements by Management Level Strategic Management Tactical Managemen t Operational Managemen t Decisions Information

Structured vs. Semi-Structured For each decision you make, the decision will fall into one of the following categories: –Structured Decisions –Unstructured –Semi-Structured

Structured Decisions Often called “programmed decisions” because they are routine and there are usually specific policies, procedures, or actions that can be identified to help make the decision –“This is how we usually solve this type of problem”

Unstructured Decisions Decision scenarios that often involve new or unique problems and the individual has little or no programmatic or routine procedure for addressing the problem or making a decision

Semi-structured Decisions Decision scenarios that have some structured components and some unstructured components.

The Role of the Decision Maker Decision makers can be –Individuals –Teams –Groups –Organizations All of these types of decision makers will differ in their knowledge and experience; therefore, there will be differences in how they will react to a given problem scenario

The Decision Making Process Regardless of the type of decision maker, all decisions involve the following steps –Intelligence –Design –Choice –Decision –Implementation

Strategies for Making Decisions OptimizationSatisficing Elimination by Aspects Incrementalism Mixed Scanning Analytic Hierarchy Process

Types of Models Deterministic: linear programming and production planning Stochastic: queuing theory and regression analysis Simulation: transportation analysis and production modeling Domain-specific: meteorological models, geologic models, economic models

Conceptual Models Formal approaches are not always feasible Most all problem is always completely new Decision makers can therefore recall and combine a variety of past experiences to create a model of the current situation The Garbage can approach to decision making

How can IT be used to support decision makers? By supporting various individual and team activities and roles: –Communication and team interaction –The assimilation and filtering of data –Assist with problem recognition –Assist with problem solving –Putting together the results into a cohesive package

Data is turned into information, but the decision maker also needs Knowledge to make decisions Types of knowledge: –Descriptive Knowledge –Procedural Knowledge –Reasoning Knowledge

Knowledge Management Tools Text and Forms management Database and Reporting management Spreadsheet, Solvers and Charts management Programming management. Rules management

The IS Toolbox Types of organizational systems –Transaction Processing Systems –Management Support Systems –Decision Support Systems –Executive Information Systems

A model of a DSS Knowledge Management Decision Maker Other Information Systems External and Internal Data Data Management Attribute Data Model Management Aspatial Models Dialog Management Attribute-Based Queries and Reports Attribute Data Object Data

A model of a Spatial DSS

So, how does a DSS benefit decision makers Supplements the decision maker Allows improved intelligence, decision, and choice activities Facilitates problem solving Provides assistance with non-structures decisions Assists with knowledge management

Specific DSS Technologies Expert Systems Executive Information Systems Management Support Systems Communication Support Systems –Group DSS Personal Support System