Expert and Decision Support Systems Quiz

Chapter 1: Introduction to System Analysis Design

• System Analysis and Design is a method companies use to build and maintain systems for core business functions.
• The primary aim is to enhance employee efficiency through software solutions for key business tasks.
• A structured approach guarantees successful system implementation.
• System Analysts are crucial for analysis and design, relying on:
  • Understanding of organizational objectives, structure, and processes.
  • Expertise in leveraging IT for business advantage.

Learning Objectives

• After completing this topic, students will be able to:
  • Identify the significance of System Analysis and Design.
  • Pinpoint the responsibilities and roles of a System Analyst.
  • Compare and contrast four distinct types of Information Systems.
  • Recognize tools and techniques for System Analysis and Design.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design

• A method for creating and maintaining systems crucial for basic business functions.
• The primary goal is to improve operational efficiency by utilizing software solutions for key business tasks.
• A structured approach is mandatory for ensuring success.
• System Analysts use their knowledge of organizational objectives, structure, processes, and information technology to perform analysis and design.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• The core aim is to enhance organizational systems via software development or acquisition, coupled with employee training.
• Application software supports organizational functions and processes.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• A system encompasses hardware, software, documentation, training materials, job roles, and controls tied to the system, including individuals using the software for their jobs.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• Figure 1.2, illustrating a computer-based Information System Application, depicts the components encompassing hardware, specific job roles (users), controls, application software, system software, and documentation/training manuals.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• Effective System Analysis and Design yields improved accuracy via reduced errors and enhanced data integrity.
• It also leads to cost savings by lowering the costs of development and maintenance.
• Effective design enhances system flexibility, enabling easier modifications and updates.
• Increased productivity results from streamlined processes, and user-friendly interfaces.

1.2 Roles as System Analyst

• Studying organizational needs and problems to devise an improvement strategy through effective utilization of:
  • People
  • Methods
  • Information technology
• Assisting users and managers in defining their requirements for new or improved systems.

1.2 Roles as System Analyst (continued)

• Analytical abilities, including understanding organizations and possessing problem-solving skills.
• System thinking is crucial for analyzing organizations and information systems.
• A technical understanding of technology's potential and limitations is essential.

1.2 Roles as System Analyst (continued)

• Managerial skills are necessary for managing projects, resources, risks, and change.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) are equally important.

1.3 Type of Information System

• Information systems consolidate various resources for collecting, processing, storing, and distributing information.
• Such systems are widely used for daily activities like communication, banking, online shopping, and information retrieval.
• Companies utilize them for internal communication with clients, suppliers, and to execute operations and marketing initiatives.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Figure 1.2 demonstrates a hierarchical structure of various Information Systems based on organizational levels, from Strategic to Operational. It illustrates how different management levels utilize different types of information systems.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Transaction-Processing Systems (TPS) are systems designed for handling structured and routine transactions, recording, and managing them efficiently and accurately.
• TPS is crucial for operational processes, serving as an integral part of various business activities.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• TPS examples include retail point-of-sale systems for inventory and sales management, banking ATMs and online banking for customer transactions, airline reservation systems, and manufacturing systems for production scheduling and raw material utilization.
• An illustration of a payroll TPS is presented in Figure 1.3.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Management Information Systems (MIS) collect, process, store, and analyze data to provide meaningful reports and insights for managers to guide decision making and organizational operations.
• MIS transforms raw data from transaction processing systems into actionable information.
• MIS integrates people, technology, and processes to achieve organizational objectives.
• MIS enables informed decision-making, improves process efficiency, and builds a competitive advantage.
• MIS bridges the gap between TPS and DSS/Decision Support systems.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• MIS functions include data collection, processing, storage, report generation, and problem identification to provide accurate and actionable information to aid in decision-making.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Examples of MIS include a sales reporting system consolidating sales data by region or representative, inventory management systems keeping track of stock levels, financial management systems to generate reports, employee performance measures, and human resource systems encompassing payroll and recruitment.
• Figure 1.4 presents an example of an MIS—a financial management system, integrating TPS and MIS data.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Decision Support Systems (DSS) are systems for facilitating complex decision-making processes by performing detailed analysis of collected data.
• They provide insights, predictions, recommendations for action, and insights through a well-structured, interactive environment for informed decision-making.
• DSS is mainly used by managers, professionals, involving both human judgment and computer-based analytics.
• DSS functions: data collection, data analysis, scenario evaluation, decision support, and visualization to aid interpretation.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• DSS examples include Financial-Planning, Supply-Chain, Customer-Relationship Management (CRM), and Healthcare.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Graphical representation depicting a decision support system, which integrates data from various sources into an analytical model database, which are then accessed through online queries.

1.4 Tools and Techniques for SAD

• Tools for System Analysis and Design include:
  • Diagramming Tools (Data Flow Diagrams, Entity-Relationship Diagrams, Use Case Diagrams, Flowcharts).
  • Modeling Tools (Unified Modeling Language (UML), Business Process Modeling (BPM)).
  • Prototyping Tools (Wireframing Tools, Low/High-Fidelity Mockups).
  • CASE Tools (Computer-Aided Software Engineering), automating tasks like code generation, database design, and documentation.
  • Software Tools (Project Management: MS Project, Jira, Trello; Requirements Management: IBM DOORS).

1.4 Tools and Techniques for SAD (continued)

• Techniques for System Analysis and Design include:
  • Requirements Gathering (Interviews, Surveys, Workshops, Observation).
  • Analysis Techniques (SWOT Analysis, Gap Analysis, Feasibility Analysis).
  • Design Techniques (Structured Design, Object-Oriented Design, Rapid Application Development (RAD)).
  • Testing and Validation (Walkthroughs, Peer Reviews, Simulation, Usability Testing).
  • Documentation (Data Dictionaries, System Specifications).

d. Expert System

• Expert systems (ES) are AI-based information systems designed to mirror human expert decision-making abilities in specialized domains.
• They utilize a knowledge base of rules, facts, and simulations to provide decision support, advice, or problem-solving.
• Examples of expert systems include medical diagnostics, engineering design, customer support chatbots, financial planning, and legal advice.
• Functions of Expert Systems include; problem solving, decision-making, diagnostics, and learning and adaptation.

d. Expert System (continued)

• Systems use input, like patient symptoms, processed to infer diagnoses and treatment plans.
• The expert system offers examples from different areas such as medical diagnoses, design of equipment, customer support, financial planning, and legal advisory.

Test your knowledge on various types of expert systems and their applications, including Management Information Systems (MIS) and Decision Support Systems (DSS). This quiz covers essential functions, characteristics, and fields of application for these systems in management and decision-making.