A decision support system provides information for informed decision-making, with features such as facilitation, interaction, and task-oriented activities. It can handle multiple tasks and may be customized to meet a business’s needs.
A decision support system is an internal business asset that provides owners, managers and other employees with information to make informed decisions. Common features of decision support systems include facilitation, interaction, and task-oriented activities within the system. There may also be other features, such as ancillary options or decision impact measures. The most effective decision support systems will have these features readily available. Those who create and implement the system are often responsible for measuring its effectiveness and correct application.
Facilitation helps ensure that the system provides the right data and information for upcoming decisions. Activities and decision-making processes must coincide when using a support system. A decision process typically defines the individual activities that you need to use when making decisions. The support system facilitates information through each individual activity so that the decision maker does not spend too much time collecting data. More people can also use the support system to pass information through the pipeline in order to shorten the lead time needed to make decisions.
Interaction also represents important features of decision support systems. Many of these systems in today’s businesses make extensive use of technology, primarily personal computers and decision-making software. When multiple people are able to access the software and enter information for decision making, interaction occurs. In some cases, decision makers may have regional restrictions that don’t allow visits to all of a company’s locations. Therefore, the only interaction during the process is the decision support system and the data it contains.
Task-oriented activities are also common elements of decision support systems. This element indicates that the support system can handle more than one task at a time, which is essential. Many companies provide input for multiple outcomes related to one or a few different decisions. Therefore, multiple tasks in the system must be able to handle all of this information. The choice between the various alternatives here can represent the decision that a company has to make.
Companies can define their own characteristics of decision support systems. While some companies may design their own mix of computerized and manual systems, others may use a third-party package. A third-party package often features customizable aspects that allow a business to change various aspects of the system. In short, the features can meet the needs and requirements of a business.
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