1. Group Decision Support Systems
MS 204/U1/L5/Ashima

2. What is a Group ?
Refers to two or more individuals whose mission is to perform some task and who act as one unit
Can be permanent or temporary
In one location or in several locations
Can meet concurrently or at different time
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3. Group
Group:
Collection of individuals in which behavior and/or performance of one member is influenced by behavior and/or performance of other members. (Gibson, 1991)
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4. Benefits of Groups Better than individuals at understanding problems
People are accountable for decisions that they participate in
Better at catching errors
Has more information (knowledge) than any one member
more alternatives ==> better solutions
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5. Problems with Groups “Groupthink” -- social pressures to conform
people begin to think alike and new ideas are not tolerated
Time-consuming, slow process
Problems in coordination/poor planning
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6. Group Decision Support Systems
A DSS whose design, structure, and usage reflect the way in which people cooperate to make a particular decision or type of decision
An interactive, computer-based system which facilitates the solution of unstructured problems by a set of decision makers working together as a group
Consisting of a set of software, hardware, language components, and procedures that support a group of people engaged in a decision-related meeting
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7. Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)
Group Support Systems (GSS)
Electronic Meeting Systems
Collaborative Computing
Evolved as information technology researchers recognized that technology could be developed for supporting meeting activities
Idea generation
Consensus building
Anonymous ranking
Voting, etc.
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8. Cool Rooms
US Air Force
Source: Ventana Corp., Tuscon, AZ,
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9. Cool Rooms
IBM Corp.
Source: Ventana Corp., Tuscon, AZ,
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10. Important Characteristics of a GDSS
Specially Designed IS
Goal of Supporting Groups of Decision Makers
Easy to Learn and Use
May be designed for one type of problem or for many organizational decisions
Designed to encourage group activities
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11. Three Levels of GDSS Support
Based on DeSanctis and Gallupe
Level 1: Process Support
Level 2: Decision-making Support
Level 3: Rules of order
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12. Level 1: Process Support
support the basic communication process between participants
electronic messaging
network linking the PCs
public screen
anonymous input of votes and ideas
solicitation of ideas or votes
summary and display of ideas and opinions
format for an agenda
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13. Level 2: Decision-Making Support
decision modeling and group decision techniques aimed at reducing uncertainty and ‘noise’ that occur in the group decision process
adds capabilities for modeling and decision analysis
planning and financial models
decision trees
probability assessment models
resource allocation models
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14. Level 3: Rules of Order
Characterized by machine-induced group communication patterns
Control the pattern, timing, or content of information exchange
Special software containing rules of order is added
rules determining the sequence of speaking, the appropriate response, or voting rules
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15. GDSS Time/Place Environment
Same-Time
Same-Place
(Most widely used GDSS- computers with projectors, voting tools)
Different-Place
(team room, tools, audio conferencing, screen sharing, chat)
Different-Time
(audio/video conferencing, document sharing)
(voice mail, , bulletin boards)

16. Components of GDSS
There are four fundamental types of components that compose GDSS:
  Software
 The software part may consist of the following components: databases and database management capabilities, user/system interface with multi-user access, specific applications to facilitate group decision-makers activities, and modeling capabilities.
Hardware
 The hardware part may consist of the following components: I/O devices, PCs or workstations, individual monitors for each participant or a public screen for group, and a network to link participants to each other.
People
 The people may include decision-making participants and /or facilitator. A facilitator is a person who directs the group through the planning process.
Procedures
This refers to the methods that have been used in holding meetings.

17. Advantages of GDSS
Parallel Communication – eliminate monopolizing providing increased participation, better decisions
Automated record keeping – no need to take notes, they’re automatically recorded
Ability for virtual meetings – only need hardware, software and people connected
Portability - Can be set up to be portable… laptop
Global Potential - People can be connected across the world
No need for a computer Proficient – although some basic experience is a must

18. Disadvantages of GDSS
Cost –infrastructure costs to provide the hardware and software/room/network connectivity can be very expensive
Security – especially true when companies rent the facilities for GDSS; also, the facilitator may be a lower-level employee who may leak information to peers
Technical Failure – power loss, loss of connectivity, relies heavily on bandwidth and LAN/WAN infrastructure – properly setup system should minimize this risk
Training – learning curve is present for users, varies by situation

19. Thank You!!
Queries?
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