Discuss the Different Categories of Decision Support Systems Giving Practical Examples.
DSS are interactive computer-based systems, which help decision makers utilize data and models to solve
unstructured problems (Scott Morton, 1971). A Decision Support System (DSS) is an umbrella term used
to describe any computer application that enhances the user’s ability to make decisions. More specifically,
the term is usually used to describe a computer-based system designed to help decision-makers use data,
knowledge and communications technology to identify problems and make decisions to solve those
problems.
Since the definition of Decision Support Systems can be stretched to include almost any application that
processes data there is some confusion as to exactly what constitutes a DSS. In an effort to clarify the
term, DS systems can be separated into seven broad categories, each aiding decision making by different
methods.
As with the definition, there is no universally accepted taxonomy of DSS either. Different authors
proposed different classifications which are:
i. Relationship with user Criterion
ii. Using scope as criterion
iii. Using mode of Assistance as criterion
Using mode of assistance
One classification for DSS has been suggested by Daniel Power in which he used the mode
of assistance as the criteria. Power believes DSS is categorized into Communications Driven
DSS, Data-Driven DSS, Document-Driven DSS, Knowledge-Driven DSS, Model-Driven DSS,
Spreadsheet-based DSS,
Communications Driven DSS
A C-D DSS is a type of DSS that enhances decision-making by enabling communication and sharing of information between groups of people. At its most basic level a C-D DSS could be a simple threaded e-mail. At its most complex it could be a web-conferencing application or interactive video.
Communication-Driven DSS will exhibit at least one of the following characteristics:
Supports coordination and collaboration between two or more people;
Facilitates information sharing;
Enables communication
unstructured problems (Scott Morton, 1971). A Decision Support System (DSS) is an umbrella term used
to describe any computer application that enhances the user’s ability to make decisions. More specifically,
the term is usually used to describe a computer-based system designed to help decision-makers use data,
knowledge and communications technology to identify problems and make decisions to solve those
problems.
Since the definition of Decision Support Systems can be stretched to include almost any application that
processes data there is some confusion as to exactly what constitutes a DSS. In an effort to clarify the
term, DS systems can be separated into seven broad categories, each aiding decision making by different
methods.
As with the definition, there is no universally accepted taxonomy of DSS either. Different authors
proposed different classifications which are:
i. Relationship with user Criterion
ii. Using scope as criterion
iii. Using mode of Assistance as criterion
Using mode of assistance
One classification for DSS has been suggested by Daniel Power in which he used the mode
of assistance as the criteria. Power believes DSS is categorized into Communications Driven
DSS, Data-Driven DSS, Document-Driven DSS, Knowledge-Driven DSS, Model-Driven DSS,
Spreadsheet-based DSS,
Communications Driven DSS
A C-D DSS is a type of DSS that enhances decision-making by enabling communication and sharing of information between groups of people. At its most basic level a C-D DSS could be a simple threaded e-mail. At its most complex it could be a web-conferencing application or interactive video.
Communication-Driven DSS will exhibit at least one of the following characteristics:
Supports coordination and collaboration between two or more people;
Facilitates information sharing;
Enables communication