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Unit 4: Dialogue Management, Data Management and Model .......

for the decision maker to realize how the system variables are interrelated. This is helpful in Notes
designing creative decision options but also in understanding how a policy decision will impact
the objective. Graphical models, such as those used in decision analysis or in equation-based and
hybrid systems, are particularly suitable for reasoning about structure. Under certain assumptions,
a directed graphical model can be given a causal interpretation. This is especially convenient in
situations where the DSS autonomically suggests decision options; given a causal interpretation
of its model, it is capable of predicting effects of interventions. A causal graph facilitates building
an effective user interface.

Did u know? The system can refer to causal interactions during its dialogue with the user,
which is known to enhance user insight.

4.1.3 Support for both Choice and Optimization of Decision Variables

Many DSSs have an inflexible structure in the sense that the variables that will be manipulated
are determined at the model-building stage. This is not very suitable for planning of the strategic
type when the object of the decision-making process is identifying both the objectives and the
methods of achieving them.

For example, changing policy variables in a spreadsheet-based model often requires that the
entire spreadsheet be rebuilt. If there is no support for that, few users will consider it as an
option. This closes the world of possibilities for flexible reframing of a decision problem in the
exploratory process of searching for opportunities.
Support for both choice and optimization of decision variables should be an inherent part of
DSSs.

4.1.4 Graphical Interface

Insight into a model can be increased greatly at the user interface level by a diagram representing
the interactions among its components.

For example, a drawing of a graph on which a model is based is shown in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1: Example of a Bayesian Network Modeling Teaching Expenditures in
University Operations

Source: http://www.pitt.edu/~druzdzel/psfiles/dss.pdf

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