A decision support system (DSS) is a computer program
application that analyzes business data and presents it so that users can make
business decisions more easily.
DSS uses the summary information, exceptions, patterns, and trends using the analytical models. A decision support system helps in decision-making but does not necessarily give a decision itself. The decision makers compile useful information from raw data, documents, personal knowledge, and/or business models to identify and solve problems and make decisions.
Programmed and Non-programmed Decisions
There are two types of decisions - programmed and non-programmed decisions.Programmed decisions are basically automated processes, general routine work, where:
·
These decisions have been taken several times.
·
These decisions follow some guidelines or rules.
For example, selecting a reorder level for inventories is a programmed
decision. Non-programmed decisions occur in unusual and non-addressed situations, so:
·
It would be a new decision.
·
There will not be any rules to follow.
·
These decisions are made based on the available
information.
·
These decisions are based on the manger's
discretion, instinct, perception and judgment.
For example, investing in a new technology is a non-programmed decision. Decision support systems generally involve non-programmed decisions. Therefore, there will be no exact report, content, or format for these systems. Reports are generated on the fly.
Major components of DSS:
To
solve a problem the necessary data may come from internal or external database.
In an organization, internal data are generated by a system such as TPS and
MIS. External data come from a variety of sources such as newspapers, online
data services, databases (financial, marketing, human resources).
Model Management System:
It stores and
accesses models that managers use to make decisions. Such models are used for
designing manufacturing facility, analyzing the financial health of an
organization, forecasting demand of a product or service, etc.
Support Tools:
Support tools like online
help; pulls down menus, user interfaces, graphical analysis, error correction
mechanism, facilitates the user interactions with the system.
Characteristics of a
DSS:
- Support for decision-makers in semi-structured and unstructured problems.
- Support for managers at various managerial levels, ranging from top executive to line managers.
- Support for individuals and groups.
- Less structured problems often requires the involvement of several individuals from different departments and organization level.
- Support for interdependent or sequential decisions.
- Support for intelligence, design, choice, and implementation. Support for variety of decision processes and styles.
- DSS are adaptive over time.
Benefits of DSS
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Improves efficiency and speed of decision-making
activities.
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Increases the control, competitiveness and
capability of futuristic decision-making of the organization.
·
Facilitates interpersonal communication.
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Encourages learning or training.
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Since it is mostly used in non-programmed
decisions, it reveals new approaches and sets up new evidences for an unusual
decision.
·
Helps automate managerial processes.
Attributes of a DSS
- Adaptability and flexibility
- High level of Interactivity
- Ease of use
- Efficiency and effectiveness
- Complete control by decision-makers
- Ease of development
- Extendability
- Support for modeling and analysis
- Support for data access
- Standalone, integrated, and Web-based
General Input and
Output of DSS:
Classification of DSS
There are several ways to classify DSS. Hoi Apple and Whinstone classifies
DSS as follows:
·
Text Oriented DSS: It contains textually
represented information that could have a bearing on decision. It allows
documents to be electronically created, revised and viewed as needed.
·
Database Oriented DSS: Database plays a
major role here; it contains organized and highly structured data.
·
Spreadsheet Oriented DSS: It contains
information in spread sheets that allows create, view, modifies procedural
knowledge and also instructs the system to execute self-contained instructions.
The most popular tool is Excel and Lotus 1-2-3.
·
Solver Oriented DSS: It is based on a
solver, which is an algorithm or procedure written for performing certain
calculations and particular program type.
·
Rules Oriented DSS: It follows certain
procedures adopted as rules.
·
Rules Oriented DSS: Procedures are
adopted in rules oriented DSS. Export system is the example.
·
Compound DSS: It is built by using two or
more of the five structures explained above.
Types of DSS
Following are some typical DSS:
·
Status Inquiry System: It helps in taking
operational, management level, or middle level management decisions, for
example daily schedules of jobs to machines or machines to operators.
·
Data Analysis System: It needs
comparative analysis and makes use of formula or an algorithm, for example cash
flow analysis, inventory analysis etc.
·
Information Analysis System: In this
system data is analyzed and the information report is generated. For example,
sales analysis, accounts receivable systems, market analysis etc.
·
Accounting System: It keeps track of
accounting and finance related information, for example, final account,
accounts receivables, accounts payables, etc. that keep track of the major
aspects of the business.
·
Model Based System: Simulation models or
optimization models used for decision-making are used infrequently and creates
general guidelines for operation or management.
Example for DSS:
Framework of Decision Support System:
The Early Framework of Decision Support System consists of four phases:
Intelligence Searching for conditions that call for decision.
Design Developing and analyzing possible alternative actions of
solution.
Choice Selecting a course of action among those.
Implementation Adopting the selected course of action in decision
situation.