Chapter 12 Decision Support Systems
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Chapter 12Decision Support Systems Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Learning Objectives • List and explain the steps in decision making • Articulate the difference between structured and unstructured decision making • Describe the typical software components that decision support systems comprise • Describe the typical elements of geographic information systems • Identify business situations in which decisions can be supported by geographic information systems Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Decision Support Aids • Organization’s success depends on quality of managers’ decisions • When decisions involve large amounts of information and processing, computer-based systems can make the process effective and efficient. • Applications now called business analysis tools or business intelligence applications Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Decision-Making Process • Three decision-making phases • Intelligence • Design • Choice • Models to analyze data • Maps, mathematical equations of variables Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Decision-Making Process (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Structured and Unstructured Problems Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Structured Problems • Proven set of steps for solution • Algorithm • Parameters • Most mathematical and physical problems are structured • Programmable problems: feasible to write a program to solve them Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Unstructured Problems • No algorithm to follow to reach optimal solution • Multiple potential solutions • Unstructuredness is closely related to uncertainty Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Semistructured Problems • Neither fully structured nor totally unstructured • Managers and Semistructured Problems • Most common type of problem for managers • Task is to choose one alternative that will bring about the best outcome • Often rely on decision support applications to select the best course of action Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Decision Support System (DSS) • Computer-based information systems that help managers select one of many solutions • Automates some of decision-making process • Sophisticated and fast analysis • Used at all management levels Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Decision Support System (DSS) Components • Three Major Components • Data management module • Model management module • Dialog management module Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Decision Support System (DSS) Components (Cont.) • Together, DSS modules: • Help enter request conveniently • Search vast amounts of data • Use data in desired models • Present results in readable manner Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Data Management Module • Gives user access to databases or data warehouses • Allows decision maker to conduct intelligence phase of decision making Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Decision Support System Components (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Decision Support System Components • Closely intertwined with other organizational systems • Data warehouses • Data marts • ERP systems • Draw relevant data for decision-making Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Model Management Module • Selects appropriate model to analyze data • Linear regression model • May be built by the organization based on accumulated knowledge • Trade secrets Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Model Management Module (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Model Management Module (Cont.) • Creating New Models • Data mining techniques do not rely on predetermined models • No hypothesis on relationships of data required • Software looks for the relationships • Results in a new model or set of relationships Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Dialog Module • Interface between user and other modules • Prompts user to select a model • Allows database access and data selection • Lets user enter/change parameters • Displays analysis results • Textual, tabular, and graphical displays Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Dialog Module (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Types of DecisionSupport Systems • Personal Decision Support Systems • Individual Knowledge worker uses in daily work • Raw data entered into a program either by user or drawn from other sources • Tax preparation software is an example Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Types of Decision Support Systems (Cont.) • Group Decision Support Systems • Promote brainstorming and group decision making • Located in conference room or on networked computers • Weigh votes to overcome impasses Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Types of Decision Support Systems (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Sensitivity Analysis • Tests degree to which result is affected by change in parameters • What-if analysis • Can change multiple parameters at once Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Executive Information Systems • Alleviate information overload for executives • Select most relevant data for analysis • Drilling down • Consolidate and summarize data • Display data graphically Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Effective EIS features • An easy-to-use and easy-to-learn graphical user interface • On-request “drill-down” capability • On-demand financial and other ratios, and other indicators • Easy-to-use but sophisticated tools to allow navigation in databases and data warehouses Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Effective EIS Features (Cont.) • Statistical analysis tools • The ability to respond to ad hoc queries and sensitivity analyses • Access to external data pools • The ability to solve diverse business problems Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Developing Decision Support Systems • When Should a DSS Be Built? • What is the type problem and how structured is it? • Are the required data available in databases and data warehouses? • How often do managers encounter the problem? • Who will use the system? • Can the prospective users spare adequate time for the development process? Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
The Electronic Spreadsheet: A DSS Tool • Provide two facilities for building DSS • Preprogrammed functions • Ability to use IF-THEN statements • Most widely used tool • Inexperienced users can use to develop DSSs Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
GeographicInformation Systems • Decision aid for map-related decisions • Typical GIS contains: • database of quantitative and qualitative data • database of maps • program to display information on maps Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Ethical and Societal IssuesDecisions by Machines • Automated decisions can affect individuals • Mortgage companies, credit card companies, employers, banks, etc. • European Protection • “Automated Individual Decisions” Directive Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Ethical and Societal IssuesDecisions by Machines • Who Needs Protection • Determining creditworthiness • Efficient • Effective • Hidden Injustice • Mistakes on records • Decisions final Management Information Systems, 4th Edition
Summary • Decisions are made in three steps: intelligence, design, and choice • Structured and unstructured are two types of decision-making techniques and are based on the type of problem to be solved • Decision support systems have typical components • Geographic information systems use certain elements Management Information Systems, 4th Edition