Decision Support Systems Concepts, Methodologies,
and Technologies: An Overview
Learning Objectives
Understand possible decision support system (DSS) configurations
Understand the key differences and similarities between DSS and BI systems
Describe DSS characteristics and capabilities
Understand the essential definition of DSS Understand important DSS classifications Understand DSS components and how
they integrate
Learning Objectives
Describe the components and structure of each DSS component
Explain Internet impacts on DSS (and vice versa)
Explain the unique role of the user in DSS versus management information systems
Describe DSS hardware and software platforms
Become familiar with a DSS development language
Understand current DSS issues
Opening Vignette:
“Decision Support System Cures for Health Care”
Company background Problem Proposed solution Results Answer and discuss the case questions
Opening Vignette:
“Decision Support System Cures for Health Care”- Projected Vacancy Rate versus Desired Vacancy Rate
Opening Vignette:
- Projected Vacancy Rate vs. Desired Vacancy Rate "What-if" scenario with 6 additional RN recruiters
Opening Vignette:
- Demanded Hours versus Total Actual Hours versus Total Actual Hours with New Hires
DSS Configurations
Many configurations exist; based on management-decision situation specific technologies used for support
DSS have three basic components1.Data 2.Model3.User interface4.(+ optional) Knowledge
DSS Configurations
Each component has several
variations; are typically deployed online
Managed by a commercial of custom software
Typical types: Model-oriented
DSS Data-oriented DSS
DSS Description
A DSS is typically built to support the solution of a certain problem (or to evaluate a specific opportunity). This is a key difference between DSS and BI applications BI systems monitor situations and identify
problems and/or opportunities, using variety of analytic methods
The user generally must identify whether a particular situation warrants attention
Reporting/data warehouse plays a major role in BI DSS often has its own database and models
DSS Description
DSS is an approach (or methodology) for supporting decision making uses an interactive, flexible, adaptable computer-
based information system (CBIS) developed (by end user) for supporting the solution
to a specific nonstructured management problem uses data, model and knowledge along with a
friendly (often graphical; Web-based) user interface incorporate the decision maker's own insights supports all phases of decision making can be used by a single user or by many people
A Web-Based DSS Architecture
i. Multi-tiered architecture uses a web browser to run the programs on an application server.
ii. The server access data to construct one or more models. Data may also be provided by a data server that optionally extract data from a data warehouse.
iii. When the user requires that the model be optimized, the model , populated with the data, is transferred to an optimization server. The optimization server accesses additional data from data server, if needed, solves problem, and provides the solution directly to the user’s web browser.
DSS Characteristics and Capabilities
Business analytics implies the use of models and data to improve an organization's performance and/or competitive posture. OLAP and Data Mining system have embadded in them.
Web analytics implies using business analytics on real-time Web information to assist in decision making; often related to e-Commerce. Eg. CRM, SCM ect.
Predictive analytics describes the business analytics method of forecasting problems and opportunities rather than simply reporting them as they occur. They include advance forecasting and simulation model
Both DSS and BI include analytical tools to run the systems
Components of DSS Application
Components of DSS
Data Management Subsystem Includes the database that contains the relevant
data and its managed by Database management system (DBMS)
Can be connected to a data warehouse Model Management Subsystem
Model base management system (MBMS) : is software package that includes financial, statistical, management science, or other quantitative models that provide the system’s analytical capabilities and appropriate software management.
Components of DSS
User Interface Subsystem The user communicate with and commands
the DSS through the user interface subsystem. The web browser provides a familiar, consistent graphical user interface(GUI) structure for DSS
Knowledgebase Management Subsystem KMS can support any of the other subsystems
or act as an independent component.
How the DSS Components Integrate
The four components can be connected to a corporate internet, to an extranet, or to the internet.
DSS ComponentsData Management Subsystem
The data management subsystem is composed of the following elements
DSS database DBMS Data directory Query facility
Database Management SubsystemKey Data Issues
DSS Database : A DB is a collection of interrelated data, organized to meet the needs and structure of an organization that can be used by more than one person for more application. There are several possible configuration for a database.
DSS ComponentsData Management Subsystem
Figure showing Data are extracted from internal and External data sources, as well as from personal data belonging to one or more users. The extraction results go to the specific application’s DB or to the corporate data warehouse.
Database Management Subsystem
DBMS : A DB is created , accessed, and update by a DBMS.
The Data Directory : The Data Directory is a catalog of all the data in a DB. It contains data definition, and its main function is to answer questions about the availability of data items, their sources, and their exact meaning. It also supports the addition of new entries, deletion of entries, and retrieval of information about specific objects.
Query Facility : It accepts requests , and determines how the request can be filled, formulates the detailed request, and returns the results to the issuer of the request. E.g. SQL
Database Management SubsystemKey Data Issues Data quality
“Garbage in/garbage out" (GIGO) Data integration
“Creating a single version of the truth” Scalability
Large DB present major scalability problems, part of the problems can be solved by carefully spiliting data up and having them span multiple disk drives, perhaps each access by several processor.
Data Security Data can protected by unauthorized user. i.e SQL
guard
DSS ComponentsModel Management Subsystem
Model base MBMS Modeling
language Model directory Model
execution, integration, and command processor
DSS ComponentsModel Management Subsystem
Model base : A Model base contains routine and special statistical, financial, forecasting, management science, and other quantitative models that provides the analysis capabilities in a DSS. It can invoke, run, change, combine, and inspect. The model in the model base divided into four categories : Strategic models : Support top managers’ strategic plan. Tactical models : Used by the mid managers to assist in
allocating and controlling the organization’s recourses. Operational models: Support day-to-day working activities. Analytic models : Used to perform analysis on data through
statistical, management science, data mining etc.
DSS Components Model Management Subsystem
MBMS software has four (4) functions1. Model creation, using programming languages,
DSS tools and/or subroutines, and other building blocks
2. Generation of new routines and reports 3. Model updating and changing 4. Model data manipulation
Model directory : It is catalog of all the models and other software in the model base.
Model execution, integration and command are usually controlled by model management.
DSS ComponentsUser Interface (Dialog) Subsystem
User Interface covers all aspects of communication between a user and the DSS or any MSS. It includes not only the hardware and software but also factors that deal with ease of use, accessibility, and human-machine interactions. It’s the user’s standpoint because it is the only point of the system that the user sees. A difficult user interface is one of the major reasons managers do not use computers and quantitative analyses as they could.The web browser has been recognize as an effective DSS GUI because it is flexible, user friendly, and gateway to almost all sources of necessary information and data.
DSS ComponentsUser Interface (Dialog) Subsystem
Interface Application interface User Interface
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
DSS User Interface Portal Graphical icons
Dashboard
Color coding Interfacing with PDAs,
cell phones, etc.
DSS Components Knowledgebase Management System
Incorporation of intelligence and expertise Knowledge components:
Expert systems, Knowledge management systems, Neural networks, Intelligent agents, Fuzzy logic, Case-based reasoning systems, and so on
Often used to better manage the other DSS components
DSS ComponentsFuture/current DSS Developments Hardware enhancements
Smaller, faster, cheaper, … Software/hardware advancements
data warehousing, data mining, OLAP, Web technologies, integration and dissemination technologies (XML, Web services, SOA, grid computing, cloud computing, …)
Integration of AI -> smart systems
DSS User
One faced with a decision that an MSS is designed to support Manager, decision maker, problem solver, …
The users differ greatly from each other Different organizational positions they occupy;
cognitive preferences/abilities; the ways of arriving at a decision (i.e., decision styles)
User = Individual versus Group Managers versus Staff Specialists [staff
assistants, expert tool users, business (system) analysts, facilitators (in a GSS)]
DSS Hardware
Typically, MSS run on standard hardware Can be composed of mainframe
computers with legacy DBMS, workstations, personal computers, or client/server systems
Nowadays, usually implemented as a distributed/integrated, loosely-coupled Web based systems
Can be acquired from A single vendor Many vendors (best-of-breed)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
Generating Assumptions
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
Creating a new model
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
A DSS Modeling LanguagePlanners Lab (plannerslab.com)
End of the Chapter
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