DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEMS - A CRITIQUE ANDA CHALLENGE

Computer-based models together with their interactive interfaces are t ypically called decision support systems. DSSs are interactive compute r-based information providers. The common objective of all DSSs, regar dless of the frameworks, methodologies, or techniques used, is to prov ide timely information that supports human decision makers - at whatev er level of decision making. The informational needs of the decision m aking process are the key considerations that motivate the development of DSSs. The growth of DSS development and use has been substantial. In spite of this impressive growth, computer-aided decision support sy stems can still be improved and made more useful to those they are int ended to support. Researchers and practitioners, and indeed the comput er industry, continue to identify ways of doing this. This paper revie ws some of these needs and opportunities by focusing on the process of successful DDS development and implementation. The paper outlines an approach and some guidelines for developing DSSs. The approach emphasi zes and requires considerable interaction between the DSS developers ( analysts) and the DSS users (decision makers). This interaction and fe edback is required throughout the entire DSS building, testing and eva luation (debugging), and implementation processes. The paper concludes by identifying some research needs and opportunities affecting DSS de velopment and effective use.