the Excel 2007 environment as a platform for tool development and visualization. Structuring of decision-making problems in ways that are meaningful to assisted analysis and transparent to those in practice Visual Basic developer environment is discussed throughout

System Life Cycle

traditional decision support systems most empirical studies focused on either: process-oriented or outcome-oriented evaluation measures, Quantitative outcome measures were most often used for evaluation, such as increased profit or decreased cost

DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM EXAMPLES: MANUFACTURING RESOURCE PLANNING (MRPII): Production scheduling, purchasing, material GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS): Software to display digital maps CUSTOMER DSS (CDSS): system supports buying decisions of customers

Expert System Benefits Faster and more consistent than an expert Can have the knowledge of several experts Does not get tired or distracted by overwork or stress Helps preserve and reproduce the knowledge of experts

Expert System Limitations Limited focus Inability to learn Maintenance problems Developmental costs Can only solve specific types of problems in a limited domain of knowledge

For Achieving the Promise Understand the stakeholders Involve stakeholders early and often Listen to feedback (especially negative!) Understand the task Objectives to be achieved by decision Current decision making process Human and organizational factors Understand the technology What parts of current process can be automated COTS versus custom development Integration of components and non-automated functions Understand the DSS development process Co-evolution of process, DSS, human skill sets Why change is resisted Importance of good systems engineering