Decision Support Systems Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary objective of any Decision Support System (DSS) project?

To reduce the amount of data collected for decisions

To improve decision-making effectiveness through changes in decision processes (correct)

To validate existing decision-making methods

To increase the speed of decision-making processes

Which of the following activities is NOT part of the diagnosis of current decision making?

Implementing changes in the decision-making team (correct)

Establishing a coherent description of the decision process

Collecting data through interviews and observations

Specifying how decisions should be made

What does a Decision Process Audit aim to achieve?

To assess the emotional impact of decisions on stakeholders

To duplicate the current decision-making processes

To evaluate the training needs of decision-makers

To recommend changes in decision technologies for enhanced performance (correct)

Which statement best describes the role of data collection in the diagnosis of decision processes?

It is crucial for understanding why decisions are not being made effectively Signup and view all the answers

According to Stabell, what must be considered when specifying how decisions should be made?

A norm for decision-making standards Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) approach?

Confirm user requirements Signup and view all the answers

Which step follows 'Develop and test a first iteration DSS prototype' in the prototyping methodology?

Create the next iteration DSS prototype Signup and view all the answers

What is a major advantage of encouraging end-user development of Decision Support Systems (DSS)?

Direct involvement of the person needing support Signup and view all the answers

What concern do IT staff have regarding end-user DSS development?

End-users may choose inappropriate development environments Signup and view all the answers

Which step is not part of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

User acceptance testing Signup and view all the answers

What phase follows implementation in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

Use and evaluation Signup and view all the answers

What is the last step in the typical prototyping methodology for DSS?

Pilot testing Signup and view all the answers

In a development approach, what does the term 'rapid prototyping' primarily focus on?

Quick iterations of prototypes based on user feedback Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue with end-user developed databases?

They may be outdated and contain inaccurate data. Signup and view all the answers

What major quality issue is often observed in end-user DSS development?

Limited testing and documentation. Signup and view all the answers

Why may an end-user developed application face difficulties during high usage?

It may not be scalable for many concurrent users. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason end-users might overlook during their development process?

Implementing a systematic development process. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge might arise if an end-user developer leaves a company?

Support for the DSS may become difficult. Signup and view all the answers

What initial tasks should a project manager undertake for a new DSS project?

Conduct a feasibility study and define objectives. Signup and view all the answers

What can help alleviate the challenges of managing large scope DSS projects?

Assigning co-project managers for business and technical aspects. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of end-user DSS development is often neglected by users?

Thorough auditing of formulas. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key responsibility of the project manager in a DSS project?

Managing the daily activities associated with the project Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main challenges a DSS project manager faces?

Understanding user expectations Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to keep the executive sponsor informed during a project?

To mitigate issues that could arise Signup and view all the answers

What should be evaluated when considering outsourcing for DSS projects?

The outsourcer as a long-term asset Signup and view all the answers

Which role typically monitors the progress of a high-visibility DSS project?

Chief Information Officer and business managers Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary risk associated with outsourcing DSS projects?

Loss of control over critical capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is crucial for evaluating proposals when outsourcing a project?

Development of a request for proposals process Signup and view all the answers

What qualities should a successful DSS project manager possess?

Outstanding people skills and business knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is a key issue in the design and development of Decision Support Systems (DSS)?

Designing from the programmer's perspective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three conceptual paths for building DSS outlined in IS literature?

Linear development methodology Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym SDLC stand for in the context of system development?

Software Development Life Cycle Signup and view all the answers

Which approach allows managers to develop their own personal Decision Support Systems?

End-user development Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps is NOT part of the SDLC?

Prototyping Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the SDLC?

Initiation and diagnosis Signup and view all the answers

What alternative methodology to SDLC is closely related to rapid application development?

Iterative prototyping Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the iterative approach while designing DSS?

Incremental progress with continuous feedback Signup and view all the answers

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Designing and Developing Decision Support Systems

Decision support systems (DSS) are diverse in functions and software used for their development
A methodology is an organized set of practices and procedures for developers
Information systems (IS) literature has followed three different conceptual paths in creating DSS
- One path involves using traditional systems analysis and design
- A second path suggests an iterative, prototyping, or "quick-hit" approach
- The third path, end-user development, allows managers to develop their own personal DSS
DSS failures often arise from designing and developing from the programmer/developer perspective, instead of that of the manager and user
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) approach involves initiation and diagnosis, acquisition (build or buy), and introduction of the new system.
Prototyping and end-user development are alternatives to the SDLC approach.
- Prototyping is similar to rapid application development (RAD)

Decision-Oriented Diagnosis

Increasing decision-making effectiveness through changes in how decisions are made is a major objective for DSS projects (e.g., Stabell, 1983)
Predesign description and diagnosis of decision-making is key to securing a decision-oriented approach
Diagnosis of current decision-making, and specifying changes in decision processes, provide key input to DSS design
- This includes determining how decisions are currently made, how they should be made, and why they aren't currently being made correctly
Stabell's approach to diagnosis involves collecting data, developing a coherent description of the process, and specifying a norm for how decisions should be made, using methods like interviews, observations, questionnaires, and historical records
Decision process auditing is a diagnostic activity that can identify areas for improvements in technology and cost reduction
A decision process audit includes:
- Defining the decisions, processes, and related business processes that must be audited
- Formal design and diagramming of the process, including participants, data, and criteria
- Observational analysis of the decision process
- Assessing the performance of the process and identifying opportunities for improvements in cycle time, appropriateness of decisions, timeliness, cost-effectiveness, and meeting of business objectives
- Reporting on the audit, including recommendations for improvement

Prepare a Feasibility Study

Crucial steps for determining a DSS's feasibility:
- Key Business Needs: Identifying the company's needs that the DSS will address
- Issues: Understanding the current problems and challenges that the DSS will solve
- Solutions: Defining possible solutions or modifications to the current processes
- Benefits and Costs: Assessing the projected benefits and costs of implementing the DSS
- Critical Success Factors: Identifying success factors that are critical to the DSS's effectiveness
- Project Management: Establishing clear project management procedures

Choose a Development Approach

A flowchart illustrates the various components in a decision making approach to create a DSS, starting with initiation, followed by decision-oriented diagnosis, feasibility study, make/buy decision, various development approaches
The development approach options are:
- Systems Development Life Cycle
- Rapid Prototyping
- End-User Development

Development Life Cycle Approach

The SDLC is a structured methodology involving formal steps.
- Confirm user requirements
- System analysis
- System design
- Programming
- Testing
- Implementation
- Use and Evaluation

Rapid Prototyping

A rapid prototyping methodology typically includes these steps:
- Identifying user requirements
- Developing and testing a first iteration prototype
- Creating next-iteration prototypes
- Testing prototypes, returning to the previous step if necessary
- Pilot testing, phased or full-scale implementation

End-User DSS Development

End-user development puts the responsibility of building and maintaining a DSS on the manager or user to improve the process
Major advantages are increasing end-user involvement and making sure the computer support meets the user needs
Potential disadvantages are the user may have limited expertise or select inappropriate software or hardware, potential errors in the development process, inconsistent documentation, limited testing, poorly structured databases, and difficulties in maintaining the systems; difficulty of support when the developer leaves the company and poor performance under concurrent use
The development is frequently error-prone
Errors include checking formulas and auditing the DSS
Unnecessary databases are sometimes created
Limited testing and documentation can be issues for end-user developed DSS
End-user DSS involves potential problems in leaving the DSS to be maintained by a third parties
Applications may not work efficiently with multiple concurrent users

DSS Project Management

Executive sponsorship and a project manager are important.
Initial tasks include diagnosis, feasibility study, and defining project objectives and scope
The sponsor chooses whether to continue or postpone
Large-scale projects may require co-project managers for business and technical oversight
The project plan, methodology, and a team should be assembled
Outsourcing processes may need to be set up if the project will be outsourced, along with criteria for selection and evaluation of proposals
To keep the sponsor informed, identifying tasks, resources, and deliverables is critical
The CIO and business managers may be involved in monitoring large-scale or high-visibility projects
Effective DSS management requires understanding and meeting stakeholder expectations to meet expectations

Outsourcing

Outsourcing involves contracting with outside consultants, software houses, or service bureaus for DSS development activities
Outsourcers need to be evaluated as long-term assets and sources of ongoing value

Outsourcing Risks

Loss of control over critical capabilities
Long-term contracts and dependency on a provider
Potential decrease in in-house technical knowledge of staff

Outsourcing Benefits

Potentially lower costs
Access to expertise in new technologies
Freeing up internal resources

DSS Project Participants

Participants include users, executive sponsor, project manager, DSS analyst, technical support staff, and DSS toolsmiths.

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Description

This quiz focuses on key concepts and methodologies related to Decision Support Systems (DSS). Participants will explore the decision-making processes, the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and the roles of data collection and end-user development in DSS projects. Test your understanding of the objectives and phases involved in DSS implementation.