5. Decision Support System (DSS)

Question 1

What is Decision Support System (DSS)?

Answer 1

DSS is an interactive system which support semi-structured decision making. It collects data from varied sources and provides useful information to managers.

Question 2

exp of information that a DSS provides

Answer 2

• Comparative sales figures between one week and the next.
• Projected revenue figures based on various assumptions.
• Evaluation of various alternatives on the basis of past experience

Question 3

Characteristics of DSS:

Answer 3

-DSS supports semi-structured or less structured decisions.
-DSS uses techniques with traditional data access and retrieval function.
-DSS is flexible and adoptable in changing environment and decision making approach of
the users.

Question 4

Efficiency vs. Effectiveness:

Answer 4

A principle of DSS design is to concentrate less on efficiency (i.e. performing tasks quickly and reducing the costs) and more on effectiveness (i.e. performing the right task).

Question 5

Design & Development:

Answer 5

Prototyping is the most popular approach to DSS design and development

Question 6

Risk Factors

Answer 6

(1) Non-existent or unwilling users
(2) Multiple users or implementers
(3) Disappearing users, implementers and maintainers
(3) Inability to specify purpose or usage patterns in advance
(4) Inability to predict and cushion impact on all parties
(5) Lack or loss of support
(6) Lack of experience with similar systems
(7) Technical problems and cost effectiveness issues.

Question 7

What does a DSS supports?

Answer 7

In any given scenario, DSS supports the semi-structured problem (and not only structured
problem).

Question 8

How is DSS

Answer 8

In any given scenario, DSS should be flexible and adoptable to changing requirements and scenarios.

Question 9

Decision Tree

Answer 9

In any given scenario, Decision tree is used as a questionnaire to lead a user through a series of choices until a conclusion is reached.