DSS has become popular in late 70's when vendors, practitioners and academics develop their use, but despite the buildup and initial excitement the success rate has been unsatisfactory. Recently due to technological advantages managers have become more enthusiastic about implementing innovative decision support systems.
DSS are defined as interactive computer based systems that help people to use computer communication, data, knowledge and models to solve problems and make decisions, but it is important to remark that DSS are auxiliary systems and are not intended to replace skilled decision makers but to help them during the decision process. DSS should be considered when:
There are good information
Managers need and want computerized DSS
According to Steven Alter's we can identify 3 mayor components in a DSS
DSS are designed to facilitate the decision process
DSS should support rather that automate
DSS should be able to respond quickly to the changing needs of decision makers
Each manager has a different information need, some of then want a detailed view and need to access to the transactions, some of them need summarized information. Some need information routinely, others on demand so DSS must present timely information and analyses that are accurate, relevant and complete and customized to the manager who will use the information.
Decision support systems: concepts and resources for managers. By Daniel J. Power
Handbook on Decision Support Systems 2: Variations. By Frada Burstein, Clyde W. Holsapple
Intelligent Decision Making: An AI-Based Approach. By Gloria Phillips-Wren, Nikhil Ichalkaranje, Lakhmi Jain
This article is the first of a serie that will cover the DSS subject, from history to best practices to implement DSS in a real context.
The author ________ is part of the Hercules Research Project.