Chapter 10: Decisions Support and Expert Systems

Question 1

A ______ is an abstraction of reality.

Answer 1

model

Question 2

A ____ is one in which an optimal solution can be reached through a single set of steps.

Answer 2

structured problem

Question 3

A sequence of steps to complete a task.

Answer 3

algorithm

Question 4

Categories of data that are considered in an algorithm

Answer 4

parameters

Question 5

An ____ is one for which there is no algorithm to follow to reach an optimal solution. This may be due to not enough information about the factors that might affect the solution or because there are so many potential factors that no algorithm can be formulated to guarantee a unique optimal solution.

Answer 5

unstructured problem

Question 6

A ____ is one that is neither fully structured nor totally unstructured.

Answer 6

semi-structured problem

Question 7

A ____ is a computer-based information system designed to help knowledge workers select one of many alternative solutions to a problem.

Answer 7

decision support system (DSS)

Question 8

A DSS’s ____ is a database or data warehouse that provides the data for the intelligence phase of decision making.

Answer 8

data management module

Question 9

To turn data into useful information, the system utilizes its _____, which offers a single fixed model, dynamically modified model, or a collection of models from which either the DSS or the user selects the most appropriate one.

Answer 9

model management module

Question 10

The part of the DSS that allows the user to interact with it is called the ____.

Answer 10

dialog module

basically a UI

Question 11

_____ is conducted to test the degree to which the total profit grows or shrinks if one or more of the factors is increased or decreased.

Answer 11

Sensitivity analysis

Question 12

Sensitivity analysis is often referred to as _____ because of the typical phrasing of questions.

Answer 12

what-if analysis

Question 13

____ is also known as revenue management.

Answer 13

Yield management

Question 14

An ____ is developed to emulate the knowledge of an expert to solve problems and make decisions in a relatively narrow domain.

Answer 14

expert system (ES)

Question 15

A ____ is a specific area of knowledge.

Answer 15

domain

Question 16

Computer programs that emulate the way the human brain works.

Answer 16

Neural networks

Question 17

ES and neural networks are 2 techniques researched and implemented in a field called _____. The field is so called because it focuses on methods and technologies to emulate how humans learn and solve problems.

Answer 17

artificial intelligence (AI)

Question 18

An ES uses a ____, which is a collection of facts and the relationships among them.

Answer 18

knowledge base

Question 19

An ES does not use a model module but an ____, which is a software that combines data that is input by the user with the data relationships stored in the knowledge base.

Answer 19

inference engine

Question 20

An _____ is software that is “dormant” until it detects a certain event, at which time it performs a prescribed action.

Answer 20

intelligent agent

Question 21

A methodology of solving a new problem established on the solutions of similar problems.

Answer 21

Case-based reasoning

Question 22

The purpose of this system is to facilitate the contribution of ideas, brainstorming, and choosing promising solutions. It can be used when a team of people are to make decisions.

Answer 22

group decisions support system (GDSS)

Question 23

For map-related decisions, ___ are often the best decision aids.

Answer 23

geographic information systems (GISs)