Page 18 - DCAP208_Management Support Systems

Unit 1: Support Systems

approach based on a current management theory and model. In doing so, we build on three Notes
postulates.

In most cases the MSS features easy-to-read bar graphs and quick access to important data.
The system enables you to look at a real-time report or to “drill down” to the details of a
particular order, receipt, Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), etc. It also complements decision making by
checking current and “what if” scenarios to determine the best use of manpower. With the use of
MSS one can examine worker productivity based on comparisons to a pre-set standard and the
average worker; refresh your memory on a certain function; and more. The MSS gives you real-
time feedback on your operations so you can make quick and informed decisions.

In the broadest sense, a Decision Support Tool (DST) is any guidance, procedure, or analysis tool
that can be used to help support a decision. It is important to point out that decision support is
not the same as making a decision. Another important point pertaining to decision support is
that it can come in the form of written guidance or in the form of software. Written guidance is
frequently provided by regulatory agencies as a means of obtaining a standardized, reproducible
approach to reaching a decision. Most regulatory agencies view written guidance as an essential
part of the approach to contaminated land management.
Guidance documents can be categorized as document-driven DST. Software tools are also
developed to assist in the decision process for computationally intensive analysis, (e.g., flow
and transport, geostatistical modeling, and multi-criteria analysis) and for mapping the spatial
relationship between contamination data and site landmarks (buildings, roads, etc.).

Did u know? Software tools are categorized as data-driven or model-driven DST depending
on the output of the tools.
A software DST has six characteristics (Geoffrion, 1983):
1. Explicit design to solve ill-structured problems;

2. Easy-to-use and powerful user interface;
3. Ability to combine analytical models with data;
4. Ability to explore the solution space by building alternatives;
5. Capability of supporting a variety of decision-making styles; and

6. Allowing interactive and recursive problem-solving.
These characteristics lend themselves naturally to contamination problems in environmental
systems in which decisions are often made with uncertainty surrounding the data and models
used to interpret the data.
The major advantages of using a computerized decision support tool is that it provides improved
transparency of the decision process and permits the effects of uncertainty on the decision to be
quantitatively addressed.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:

14. ..................... are computer-based systems that are supposed to provide information to be
used by or at least to support managerial decision making.
15. A ..................... is any guidance, procedure, or analysis tool that can be used to help support
a decision.

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