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Decision Support System (DSS)

A Decision Support System (DSS) is a computer-based information system that supports business or organizational decision-making activities.

Decision Support System (DSS)

 

DSS

 

A Decision Support System (DSS) is a computer-based information system that supports business or organizational decision-making activities.

 

DSSs serve the management, operations, and planning levels of an organization (usually mid and higher management) and help to make decisions, which may be rapidly changing and not easily specified in advance (Unstructured and Semi-Structured decision problems). Decision support systems can be either fully computerized, human or a combination of both.

 

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.

 

1 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

 

Extendibility

 

Support for modeling and analysis

 

Support for data access

 

Standalone, integrated and Web-based

 

2 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

 

DSSs are adaptive over time.

 

3 Benefits of DSS

 

Improves efficiency and speed of decision making activities

 

Increases the control, competitiveness and capability of futuristic decision making of the organization

 

Facilitates interpersonal communication

 

Encourages learning or training

 

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

 

4 Components of a DSS

 

Following are the components of the Decision Support System:

 

Database Management System (DBMS): 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; pull down menus, user interfaces, graphical analysis, error correction mechanism, facilitates the user interactions with the system.

 

5 Classification of DSS

 

There are several ways to classify DSS. Hoi Apple and Whinstone classify DSS in following:

 

Text Oriented DSS: It contains textually represented information that could have a bearing on decision. It allows documents to be electronically created, revise 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, modify procedural knowledge and also instruct 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

 

6 Types of DSS

 

Status Inquiry System: 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: 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: keep tracks 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 used infrequently and creates general guidelines for operation or management.

 

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