Transcript Slide 1
Decision Support &
Executive Information
Systems:
LECTURE 5
Amare Michael Desta
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Decision Support Systems
- Systems designed to support managerial
decision-making in unstructured problems
- More recently, emphasis has shifted to inputs
from outputs
- Mechanism for interaction between user and
components
- Usually built to support solution or evaluate
opportunities
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Role of Systems in DSS
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Structure
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Inputs
Processes
Outputs
Feedback from output to decision maker
- Separated from environment by boundary
- Surrounded by environment
Input
Processes
Output
boundary
Environment
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System Types
- Closed system
- Independent
- Takes no inputs
- Delivers no outputs to the environment
- Black Box
- Open system
- Accepts inputs
- Delivers outputs to environment
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Decision-Making (Certainty)
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Assume complete knowledge
All potential outcomes known
Easy to develop
Resolution determined easily
Can be very complex
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Decision-Making (Uncertainty)
Several outcomes for each decision
Probability of occurrence of each outcome
unknown
Insufficient information
Assess risk and willingness to take it
Pessimistic/optimistic approaches
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Decision-Making (Probabilistic)
Decision under risk
Probability of each of several possible
outcomes occurring
Risk analysis
Calculate value of each alternative
Select best expected value
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Influence Diagram
(Presenting the model)
Graphical representation of model
Provides relationship framework
Examines dependencies of variables
Any level of detail
Shows impact of change
Shows what-if analysis
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Modeling with Spreadsheets
Flexible and easy to use
End-user modeling tool
Allows linear programming and regression
analysis
Features what-if analysis, data management,
macros
Seamless and transparent
Incorporates both static and dynamic models
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Simulations
Imitation of reality
- Allows for experimentation and time compression
- Descriptive, not normative
- Can include complexities, but requires special skills
- Handles unstructured problems
- Optimal solution not guaranteed
- Methodology
- Problem definition
- Construction of model
- Testing and validation
- Design of experiment
- Experimentation & Evaluation
- Implementation
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Simulations
Probabilistic independent variables
- Discrete or continuous distributions
- Time-dependent or time-independent
- Visual interactive modeling
- Graphical
- Decision-makers interact with model
- may be used with artificial intelligence
- Can be objected oriented
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Decision Making
- Process of choosing amongst alternative
courses of action for the purpose of attaining
a goal or goals.
- The four phases of the decision process are:
(Simon’s)
- Intelligence
- Design
- Choice
- Implementation
- Monitoring (added recently)
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Decision-Making Intelligence
Phase
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Scan the environment
Analyze organizational goals
Collect data
Identify problem
Categorize problem
- Programmed and non-programmed
- Decomposed into smaller parts
- Assess ownership and responsibility for
problem resolution
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Intelligence Phase(
Contd…)
- Intelligence Phase
- Automatic
- Data Mining
- Expert systems, CRM, neural networks
- Manual
- OLAP
- KMS
- Reporting
- Routine and ad hoc
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Decision-Making Design Phase
Develop alternative courses of action
Analyze potential solutions
Create model
Test for feasibility
Validate results
Select a principle of choice
Establish objectives
Incorporate into models
Risk assessment and acceptance
Criteria and constraints
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Design Phase (Contd…)
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Design Phase
- Financial and forecasting models
- Generation of alternatives by expert system
- Relationship identification through OLAP and
data mining
- Recognition through KMS
- Business process models from CRM and ERP
etc…
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Decision-Making
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Choice Phase
Principle of choice
- Describes acceptability of a solution
approach
Normative Models
- Optimization
Rationalization
Effect of each alternative
More of good things, less of bad things
Courses of action are known quantity
Options ranked from best to worse
Suboptimization
Decisions made in separate parts of organization without
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Choice Phase (Contd...)
Decision making with commitment to
act
Determine courses of action
Analytical techniques
Algorithms
Heuristics
Blind searches
Analyze for robustness
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Choice Phase (Contd…)
Choice Phase
Identification of best alternative
Identification of good enough alternative
What-if analysis
Goal-seeking analysis
May use KMS, GSS, CRM, and ERP systems
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Decision-Making
Implementation Phase
Putting solution to work
Vague boundaries which include:
Dealing with resistance to change
User training
Upper management support
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Implementation Phase
(Contd…)
Implementation Phase
Improved communications
Collaboration
Training
Supported by KMS, expert systems, GSS
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Developing Alternatives
Generation of alternatives
May be automatic or manual
May be legion, leading to information
overload
Scenarios
Evaluate with heuristics
Outcome measured by goal attainment
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Descriptive Models
Describe how things are believed to be
Typically, mathematically based
Applies single set of alternatives
Examples:
Simulations
What-if scenarios
Cognitive map
Narratives
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Problems
Satisfying is the willingness to settle for
less than ideal.
Bounded rationality
Form of sub optimization
Limited human capacity
Limited by individual differences and biases
Too many choices
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Source: Based on Sprague, R.H., Jr., “A Framework for the Development of DSS.” MIS Quarterly, Dec. 1980, Fig. 5, p. 13.
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Decision-Making in humans
Cognitive styles
What is perceived?
How is it organized?
Subjective
Decision styles
How do people think?
How do they react?
Heuristic, analytical, autocratic, democratic,
consultative
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DSS as a methodology
A DSS is a methodology that supports
decision-making.
It is:
Flexible;
Adaptive;
Interactive;
GUI-based;
Iterative; and
Employs modeling.
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Business Intelligence
Proactive
Accelerates decision-making
Increases information flows
Components of proactive BI:
Real-time warehousing
Exception and anomaly detection
Proactive alerting with automatic recipient
determination
Seamless follow-through workflow
Automatic learning and refinement
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Components of DSS
Subsystems:
Data management
Model management
Managed by DBMS
Managed by MBMS
User interface
Knowledge Management and
organizational knowledge base
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Data Management Subsystem
Components:
Database
Database management system
Data directory
Query facility
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Levels of decision making
Strategic
Tactical
Used primarily by middle management to allocate
resources
Operational
Supports top management decisions
Supports daily activities
Analytical
Used to perform analysis of data
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(ad hoc analysis)
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DSS Classifications
GSS v. Individual DSS
Decisions made by entire group or by lone
decision maker
Custom made v. vendor ready made
Generic DSS may be modified for use
Database, models, interface, support are built
in
Addresses repeatable industry problems
Reduces costs
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