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A Framework for theA Framework for the

Development of Decision SupportDevelopment of Decision SupportSystemsSystems

Prof. Rushen ChahalProf. Rushen Chahal

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AgendaAgenda

MotivationMotivation

SummarySummary

ContributionContribution Course IntegrationCourse Integration

Article CritiqueArticle Critique

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MotivationMotivation

Emergence of Decision Support Systems

(DSS).

Different perceptions of DSS:

next evolution of IT?

already existing subset of MIS?

old system, new name?

new vendor buzzword to generate sales?

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SummarySummary

Three Information Technology Thrusts.

EDP (Electronic Data Processing) Data focus.

MIS (Management Information Systems)

Information Focus.

DSS (Decision Support Systems)

Decision Focus.

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Summary (cont.)Summary (cont.)

DSS

Generator

Technical Supporter

Manager (User)

Intermediary

DSS Builder

Toolsmith

Specific DSS

DSS Tools

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Summary (cont.)Summary (cont.)

Development Approach.

Iterative Design.

Quick development, rapid feedback.

Management as designers.

Adaptive System.

Short time horizon (Specific DSS). Intermediate time horizon (DSS Generator).

Long time horizon (DSS Tools).

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Summary (cont.)Summary (cont.)

The Manager / User (Specific DSS). Support for semi-structured and unstructured decisions.

Support for all managerial levels and integration between levels. Support for independent, sequential interdependent, and pooled

interdependent decisions.

Support for all phases of the decision making process including

intelligence, design, and choice.

Support a variety of decision making processes, but not bedependent on any one.

Should be easy to use.

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Summary (cont.)Summary (cont.)

The Builder (DSS Generator).

Data Subsystem.

Model Subsystem.

User Interface.

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Summary (cont.)Summary (cont.)

Toolsmith (DSS Tools).

Dialogue Management.

Data management.

Model management.

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ContributionContribution

Development Framework.

Identifies and establishes relationships between EDP,

MIS, and DSS. Identifies three levels of DSS technology.

Establishes design approach.

Establishes performance objectives based on

decision type. Identifies technical capabilities that development

efforts should focus on.

Identifies obstacles and future issues.

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Course IntegrationCourse Integration

Gorry & Morton (1989)

DSS helps solve semi-structured or unstructured

problems

DSS supports decision-making at three levels Strategic planning

Management control

Operational control

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Gorry & Morton (1989)

Differences in DSS design Database

Models

Differences in DSS development

User involvement

System analyst skills

Differences in organizational structure

Course Integration (cont.)Course Integration (cont.)

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Benbasat & Taylor ( 1982)

Overcome cognitive limits/complexity

Adaptive to Different cognitive styles

Course Integration (cont.)Course Integration (cont.)

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Goodwin, N. C. (1987); Nielsen, J. (1992)

Functionality & Usability Involve managers early and extensively

Flexibility & usability in user interface

Action language

Display language Knowledge base

Course Integration (cont.)Course Integration (cont.)

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Course Integration (cont.)Course Integration (cont.)

Daft & Lengel (1986)

Reduce data uncertainty

Reduce data equivocality

support interdependent decisions

Support integration & coordination

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Course Integration (cont.)Course Integration (cont.)

Fjermestad, J. (2003, class lectures)

Blurred boundary between MIS / DSS

Emphasis on group decision-making

DSS becomes hybrid

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Critique/Analysis

Team is supportive of the article

Article outdated

Sprague vs. Zwass

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Critique/Analysis

Sprague:

DSS is an advancement beyond MIS.Ayati:

DSS is a subset of MIS.

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Critique/Analysis

DSS should be flexible and adaptable

Need for consistency (Sankar, Ford, Bauer 1995)

Between and within systems Within the application

How does consistency affect flexibility and

adaptability?

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Critique/Analysis

Solving the problem of consistency and

adaptability.

Adaptive

TerminologyModule

Consistent

TerminologyModule

A/C

InterfaceModule

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Conclusion

Evolution of DSS (Shim, Warkentin, Courtney,Power, Sharda and Carlsson 2002)

Driven by:

User

Organization

Environment

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Conclusion

Future of DSS

Web-Based DSS

Can reach larger # of users

No geographic limitations

Supports virtual teams

Ubiquitous Computing

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Conclusion

DSS will support users by assisting them

in making more informed, collaborativedecisions that will achieve the the

organizations goals more effectively.

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Questions? Comments?