DECISION SUPPORT

SYSYTEM
An Overview
 Introduction

Decision making can be regarded as an outcome of

mental processes leading to the selection of a course of
action among several alternatives.
Every decision making process produces a final choice.
Decision are made with two kind of information:-
Ø Internal
Ø External
Level of Decision Making
 Types of Decisions
Structured decision:- are those for which a set of rules and
procedure for the decision making process can be determined
and utilized in subsequent decision situation.
Unstructured Decision:- are those for which preplanned
rules and regulation can’t be completely specified.
Semi-structured:- it lies somewhere between structured and
unstructured decision.

Heuristic Algorithm

Decreasin Increasi
g ng
Unstructure Semi- structured
d structured
 History of DSS

Ø The concept of decision support systems was first

articulated by Scott Morton in February 1964.
Ø T.P. Gerrity, Jr. focused on DSS design issues in his
1971article titled "The Design of Man-Machine Decision
Systems
Ø Peter Keen and Michael Scott Morton
argued in 1978, "A DSS is more a service
than a product”.
 Decision support system

Keen (1980):
DSS apply “to situations where a ‘final’ system can be
developed only through an adaptive process of learning and
evolution”
Central Issue in DSS
Ø Support and improvement of decision making
 Definition of DSS
A DSS is an interactive, flexible, and adaptable
CBIS, specially developed for supporting the
solution of a non-structured management problem
for improved decision making. It utilizes data, it
provides easy user interface, and it allows for the
decision maker’s own insights.
Characteristics and Capabilities of DSS

ØProvide support in semi-structured and

unstructured situations.
ØSupport for various managerial levels.
ØSupport all phases of the decision-
making process.
ØGoal is to improve the effectiveness of
decision making.
ØDecision makers can make better, more
consistent decisions in a timely
manner.
Traditional Systems Development
Life Cycle (SDLC)
WHY DSS……
Ø The declining in the cost of computers hardware
increase the use of hardware and software tools
Ø It provides types of information that help the
managers to take decisions.
Ø Large increase in no. of packages software which
can be used to directly to implement DSS
application.
Ø Graduates know how to use tools that DSS provide
to make semi-structured and unstructured decision.
 DSS SOFTWARE
Ø DSS is a system that accomplish the work.
Ø DSS generator can be adopted in different
situations.
Ø DSS tools are used to build both specific DSS
and DSS generators.
Ø Tools include programming language, data
manipulation software, special graphic
software.
DSS Technology Levels

Specific DSS

D S S G e n e ra to rs
( Spreadsheets ,
…)

D S S To o ls ( L a n g u a g e s , …)
COMPONENTS OF DSS
 1. Data Base Management Subsystem
 2. Model Base Management Subsystem
 3. Dialogue generation and management
system.

•
Components of DSS
The Data Base Management
Subsystem

A data base management system (DBMS) is a

computer program designed to manage a database
and run operations on the data requested by
numerous clients.
Typical examples of DMS use include
accounting, human resources and customer
support systems
 Ca p a b ilit ie s o f DBMS

Ø Captures/extracts data for inclusion

in a DSS database.
Ø Interrelates data from different
sources.
Ø Performs complex data
manipulation tasks based on user
queries.
Ø Handling temporary and ad hoc
data base.
Ø Interfacing with the model
 Model Base Management
system
MBMS is a computer program that includes financial,
statistical, management science or other quantitative
models that provide the system’s analytical capabilities
and appropriate software management.
Capabilities of MBMS are:
Ø Allows user to manipulate the models so they can conduct
experiments and sensitivity analyses ranging from ‘what-if”
to goal seeking.
Ø Catalogs and displays the directory of models for use by
several individuals in the organization.
 Dialog Generation and Management
System
The dialog subsystem provides DSS much of its power,
Flexibility and usability characteristics.

It’s Capabilities are;

Ø Handling a variety of dialog styles according to user
needs.
Ø Shifting between dialogue styles are needed.
Ø Accommodating a variety of users interface device and
mechanisms.
Ø Presenting results in a variety of formats and media.
DSS Types By Steven Alter

File drawer systems

Ø allow immediate access to data items
Ø simplest DSS

Data analysis systems

Ø allow the manipulation of data by means of
operators tailored to the task and settings or
operators of a general nature
Analysis information systems
Ø provide access to a series of databases and
small models
Continued…
Representation models
Ø estimate the consequences of actions on the
basis of models that are partially no
definitional
Ø reflect uncertainty, often in individual or
collective human behavior, or represent the
dynamic behavior of systems over time
Ø widely used to forecast the future effect of a
decision
Continued…

Optimization systems
Ø provide guidelines for action by
generating the optimal solution
consistent with a set of constraints
Suggestion systems
Ø perform mechanical work leading to a
specific suggested decision for a fairly
structured task
 Using DSS…..
Using a decision support system involves an interactive analytical
modeling process
Ø Decision makers are not demanding pre-specified information
Ø They are exploring possible alternatives
What-If Analysis
Ø Observing how changes to selected variables affect other
variables
Sensitivity Analysis
Ø Observing how repeated changes to a single variable affect
other variables
Goal-seeking Analysis
Ø Making repeated changes to selected variables until a chosen
variable reaches a target value
Optimization Analysis
Ø Finding an optimum value for selected variables, given
certain constraints
 Examples ….
Ø AIMS
Ø EIS
Ø GADS
Ø GODDESS
Ø GPLAN
Ø PAMPS
 Expert System

An Expert System (ES)

ØA knowledge-based information
system
ØContain knowledge about a
specific, complex application
area
ØActs as an expert consultant to
end users
 Components of ES
Knowledge Base
Ø Facts about a specific subject area
Ø Heuristics that express the reasoning
procedures of an expert (rules of thumb)
Software Resources
Ø An inference engine processes the
knowledge and recommends a course of
action
Ø User interface programs communicate
with
the end user
Ø Explanation programs explain the
reasoning process to the end user
Components of ES