1. WHAT IS A DSS ?
Gorry and Scott-Morton’s:
“A model based set of procedures for processing data and judgment
to assist a manager in his decision making.”
According to them, to be successful, such system must be:
- Simple
- Robust
- Easy to control
- Adaptive
- Complete on important issues
- Easy to communicate with

2. Implicit in the definition is the assumption that :
- The system is computer-based.
- The system serves as an extension of the user’s problem solving
capabilities.
Gorry and Scott-Morton’s definition was accepted throughout most
of the 1970’s by practitioners and researchers.

3. Several other definitions emerged from the literature :
Alter (1980), Moore and Chang (1980), Bonczek, Holsapple, and
Whinston (1980), Keen (1980)
The tableau below provides a good summary of their various views:
Source DSS defined in term of
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gorry and Scott-Morton Problem Type, System Function(support)
Little System Function, Interface Characteristics
Alter Usage Pattern, System Objectives
Moore and Chang Usage Pattern, System Capabilities
Bonczek et al System Component
Keen Development Process

4. Working definition of an ideal DSS:
A DSS is an interactive, flexible, and adaptable CBIS that utilizes decision rules, models, and model base coupled with a comprehensive database and the decision maker own’s insights, leading to specific, implementable decisions in solving problems that would not be amenable to management science optimization models per se. Thus, a DSS supports complex decision making and increases its effectiveness.

5. Type of Control

6. Validation of the model
Intelligence Phase
Organizational Objectives
Search and scanning procedures
Data collection
Problem Identification
Problem classification
Problem statement
Examination
Reality
Design Phase
Validation of the model
Formulate a model
Set criteria for choice
Search for alternatives
Predict and measure outcomes
Success
Verification, testing of proposed solution
Choice Phase
Solution to the model
Sensitive analysis
Selection of best alternative
Plan for implementation
Design of a control system
Implementation of
solution
Failure

7. Some Characteristics and Capabilities of DSS-I
1. DSS provides support for decision makers mainly in unstructured and
semi structured situations. DSS is different from EDP, TP and MIS.
2. Support is provided for various managerial levels
3. Support is provided to individuals as well as groups - GDSS.
4. DSS provides support for interdependent as well as sequential
decisions
5. DSS supports all phases of decision making process : Intelligence
design, choice and implementation
6. Support is provided for a variety of decision problems.
7. DSS must be adaptive over time

8. Some Characteristics and Capabilities of DSS - Contd.
8. DSS should be easy to use.
9. DSS improves the effectiveness of decision making (accuracy,
timeliness and quality) rather than efficiency (computer time close
form solution).
10. Decision maker has complete control over all steps of the decision
making process in solving the problems.
11. DSS leads to learning.
12. Should be easy to construct (?)
Should be easy to alter by its users.

9. Box 3.2: The Major Benefits of DSS
1. Ability to support the solution of complex problems.
2. Fast response to unexpected situations that result in changed
conditions. A DSS enables a thorough, quantitative analysis in a
very short time. Even frequent changes in a scenario can be
evaluated objectively in a timely manner.
3. Ability to try several different strategies under different
configurations, quickly and objectively.
4. New insights and learning. The user can be exposed to new insights
through the composition of the model and an extensive sensitivity
“what if” analysis. The new insights can help in training
inexperienced managers and other employees as well.
5. Facilitated communication. Data collection and model construction
experimentations are being executed with active users’ participation,
thus greatly facilitating communication among mangers. The
decision process can make employees more supportive of
organizational decisions. The “what-if” analysis can be used to
satisfy skeptics, in turn improving teamwork.

10. Box 3.2: The Major Benefits of DSS-continued
6. Improved management control and performance. DSS can increase
management control over expenditures and improve performance of
the organization.
7. Cost savings. Routine applications of a DSS may result in
considerable cost reduction, or in reducing (eliminating) the cost of
wrong decisions.
8. Objective decisions. The decisions derived from DSS are more
consistent and objective than decisions made intuitively.
9. Improving managerial effectiveness, allowing managers to perform a
task in less time and/or with less effort. The DSS provides managers
with more “quality” time for analysis, planning, and implementation.

11. Support Provided by DSS
DSS may provide several types of support. The following structure is based on Alter(1). Each level of support contains and adds on the previous level (but may also contribute to the previous level).
DSS Answers to
Provides Questions:
Raw data and status access What is ? 
General analysis capabilities What is / Why ?
Representation models (financial What will be ?
statements). Casual models (forecasting
diagnosis) What will be / Why ?
Solution suggestions, evaluation What if ?
Solution selection What is best / What is good enough ?

12. 1 2 14 decisions For managers at different levels Knowledge 13 3
Semi structured
decisions
For managers at
different levels
Knowledge 13 3
Modeling
For groups and
individuals 12 4
Ease of
construction
Interdependent or
sequential decisions
DSS 11 5 5
Evolutionary
usage
Support, intelligence,
design, choice 10 6
Humans control
the machine
Support variety of
decision styles
and processes 9 7
Effectiveness ,
not efficiency 8
Adaptability and
Flexibility
Ease of
Use

13. Components of DSS
1. Data includes database(s) which contains all the relevant data for
the problem and is managed by software called database
management system.
2. Model Management
The software package that includes financial statistical, management
science, other quantitative models that provide the system analytical
capabilities, and an appropriate software management.
3. Communication(Dialog) Subsystem
The subsystem through which the user can communicate with and
command DSS
These components contribute the software portion of the DSS. Also the manager(or user) is considered a part of the problem solving system.

14. Conceptual Model of DSS
Other computer -
based systems
Data: external and internal
Data
Management
Model
Management
Knowledge
manager
Dialog
management
Manager (user)
and tasks

15. The Capabilities of a DBMS in a DSS
- Capture/extracts data for inclusion in a database
- Quickly updates (adds, deletes, edits and changes)
- Quickly retrieves data from database for queries and reports
- Provides comprehensive data security ( protection from
unauthorized access and recovery capability)
- Handles personal and official data query
- Performs complex retrieval and data manipulation tasks based
on queries
- Tracks usage of data

16. The Data Management Subsystem
- DSS database
- Database management system
- Data directory
- Query facility

17. Database Management System
Internal data
sources
External data
sources
Finance
Marketing
Production
Personnel
Other
Private
personal data
Dialog
Management
Model
Management
Extraction
Knowledge
Management
Query
facility
Decision support
database
Database Management System
Retrieval
Inquiry
Update
Report generation
Delete
Data
directory

18. On Data And Database System-I
- Data external, internal and personal sources
- External data are a available on thousands of online commercial
databases, dictionaries, directories, reports, etc.
- Data for DSS needs to be frequently in the field using one of the
several methods
- Data for DSS may have problems such as: incorrect data, non timely
data poorly measured and indexed data, too many data or no data
- Large online databases such as CompuServe and Dow Jones
Information service can be a major source of DSS data.
- DSS can be programmed with third-generation languages , but it is
usually programmed with fourth-generation languages.
- Fourth-generation system include many integrated features for data
management
- Data are organized either in a relational, hierarchical or network
architecture. For many MSS relational type is preferable. -

19. On Data And Database System - Contd.
- SQL is a standard access to relational database
- There is a trend to have DSS (and other MSS) distributed via
networks
- Distributed DSS provide the benefit of a PC and the power of a
mainframe
- Many DSS are being offered on client/server systems
- Object-oriented databases are especially suitable for complex DSS
such as those in computer integrated manufacturing
- Object-oriented databases are easy to use and fast to access. They are
especially useful in distributed DSS
- Many companies are developing an enterprise-wide approach to data
management. IBM’s Information Warehouse is an example

20. The model management subsystem
- Model base - Model base management system
- Model execution , Integration and command
The ability to invoke run, change, combine and inspect models is
a key capability of DSS which differentiates it from other CBIS.

21. The model base management system (MBMS)
MBMS is a software system with the following functions :
- Model creation
- Using subroutines and other building block
- Generation of new routines and reports
- Model updating and changing
- Data manipulation
The MBMS is capable of interrelating models with appropriate linkages through a database.

22. Modeling commands : creation Maintenance - update Database interface
Models (Model Base)
Strategic, tactical, operational
Statistical, financial, marketing, management
science, accounting, engineering, etc.
Model building blocks
Model
Directory
Model Base Management
Modeling commands : creation
Maintenance - update
Database interface
Modeling language
Model execution, integration and command processor.
Data
Management
Dialog
Management
Knowledge
Management

23. Examples of Components of Models

24. The Model directory - It is similar to the role of database directory.
- Contains the catalog of all models
- Contains models definitions
- Answers all questions about model’s capability and availability.

25. The Interface (Dialog) subsystem
The dialog component is the software and hardware that provides the user interface for DSS.
- Deals with the human-machine interactions
- Uses action language to allow communication between user(s) and machine.
- Uses presentation language - with graphic screen display…etc.
- Uses knowledge base including information that the user must know.

26. Natural Language Processor
Data Management
and DBMS
Knowledge
Management
Model Management
and MBMS
Dialog Generation and
Management System-DGMS
Natural Language Processor
Input Output
Terminal
Action Display
Languages Languages
Printers, Plotters
User

27. Create variety of DSS quickly and easily
Overall Capabilities
Create variety of DSS quickly and easily
Facilitate iterative design process
General Capabilities
Ease of use Access to a variety of Access to a variety of analysis
For routine use, data source, types, and capabilities with some modification and formats for a variety of “suggestion” or guidance
construction of DSS problems and contexts. available.
Component Capabilities