Chapter 10: Decisions Support and Expert Systems Flashcards
A ______ is an abstraction of reality.
model
A ____ is one in which an optimal solution can be reached through a single set of steps.
structured problem
A sequence of steps to complete a task.
algorithm
Categories of data that are considered in an algorithm
parameters
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.
unstructured problem
A ____ is one that is neither fully structured nor totally unstructured.
semi-structured problem
A ____ is a computer-based information system designed to help knowledge workers select one of many alternative solutions to a problem.
decision support system (DSS)
A DSS’s ____ is a database or data warehouse that provides the data for the intelligence phase of decision making.
data management module
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.
model management module
The part of the DSS that allows the user to interact with it is called the ____.
dialog module
basically a UI
_____ 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.
Sensitivity analysis
Sensitivity analysis is often referred to as _____ because of the typical phrasing of questions.
what-if analysis
____ is also known as revenue management.
Yield management
An ____ is developed to emulate the knowledge of an expert to solve problems and make decisions in a relatively narrow domain.
expert system (ES)
A ____ is a specific area of knowledge.
domain
Computer programs that emulate the way the human brain works.
Neural networks
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.
artificial intelligence (AI)
An ES uses a ____, which is a collection of facts and the relationships among them.
knowledge base
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.
inference engine
An _____ is software that is “dormant” until it detects a certain event, at which time it performs a prescribed action.
intelligent agent
A methodology of solving a new problem established on the solutions of similar problems.
Case-based reasoning
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.
group decisions support system (GDSS)
For map-related decisions, ___ are often the best decision aids.
geographic information systems (GISs)
