Chapter 2: Decision Making, Systems, Modeling, and Support Flashcards
Algorithm
A step-by-step search in which improvement is made at every step until the best solution is found.
Analog Model
An abstract, symbolic model of a system that behaves like the system but looks different.
Analytical Techniques
Methods that use mathematical formulas to derive an optimal solution directly or to predict a certain result, mainly in solving structured problems.
Choice Phase
The third phase in decision making, in which an alternative is selected.
Decision Making
The action of selecting among alternatives.
Decision Style
The manner in which a decision maker thinks and reacts to problems. It includes perceptions, cognitive responses, values, and beliefs.
Decision Variable
A variable in a model that can be changed and manipulated by the decision maker. Decision variables correspond to the decisions to be made, such as quantity to produce, amounts of resources to allocate, etc.
Descriptive model
A model that describes things as they are.
Design Phase
The second decision-making phase, which involves finding possible alternatives in decision making and assessing their contributions.
Effectiveness
The degree of goal attainment. Doing the right things.
Efficiency
The ratio of output to input. Appropriate use of resources. Doing things right.
Iconic Model
A scaled physical replica.
Implementation Phase
The fourth decision-making phase, involving actually putting a recommended solution to work.
Intelligence Phase
The initial phase of problem definition in decision making.
Mental Model
The mechanisms or images through which a human mind performs sense-making in decision making.
Normative Model
A model that prescribes how a system should operate.
Optimization
The process of identifying the best possible solution to a problem.
Principle of Choice
The criterion for making a choice among alternatives.
Problem Ownership
The jurisdiction (authority) to solve a problem.
Problem Solving
A process in which one starts from an initial state and proceeds to search through a problem space to identify a goal.
Satisficing
A process by which one seeks a solution that will satisfy a set of constraints. In contrast to optimization, which seeks the best possible solution, satisficing simply seeks a solution that will work well enough.
Scenario
A statement of assumptions and configurations concerning the operating environment of a particular system at a particular time.
Sensitivity Analysis
A study of the effect of a change in one or more input variables on a proposed solution.
Simulation
An imitation of reality in computers.