ASSIGNMENT

SEPTEMBER 2023 SEMESTER

SUBJECT CODE : CDS320

SUBJECT TITLE : DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM

LEVEL : BACHELOR

STUDENT’S NAME : RAZKA ABYASA ZULFIKAR

MATRIC NO. : C30109210112

PROGRAMME : BICT (Hons)

ACADEMIC : ANDI ARYAWAN

FACILITATOR

LEARNING CENTRE : CBN , INDONESIA

INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS

1) This assignment consists of FIVE (5) questions. Answer ALL questions.

2) Plagiarism in all forms is forbidden. Students who submit plagiarised assignment will be
penalised.

3) Your assignment will be examined based on the followings

 a complete working solution.
 ability of using methods available in the learning materials.

4) This assignment carries a 60% weightage toward final grade.

THERE ARE THREE [3] PAGES OF QUESTIONS, INCLUDING THIS PAGE

INSTRUCTION. Answer ALL questions. [Total : 60 Marks]

Question 1

Decision Support System (DSS) technology is important to the choice process in an

organization. Discuss FIVE (5) factors that are pushing organizations to adopt DSS.

[10 Marks]

Question 2

The goal of creating a model is to simplify a phenomenon in order to understand its behavior.
Decision Support Systems (DSS) can include several types of models.

A variety of dimensions are used to describe models and the role they fulfill in decision making.
Briefly discuss about the “time dimension” in the decision environment.

[10 Marks]

Question 3

Discuss how the model proposed by Dreyfus and Dreyfus would provide guidance to the
decision support systems.

[10 Marks]

Question 4

The fact that windows can be sized by the user can be both a problem and an opportunity in the
design of decision support systems. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sizing the
windows. Based on the advantages, provide your suggestions to overcome it.

[15 Marks]
Question 5

Suppose you were designing a decision support system to help students to make better career
decisions. Identify THREE (3) questions that you might use during the interviews in order to
determine their decision support needs. How would you alter those questions if the person being
interviewed were too talkative or uncooperative?

[15 Marks]

END OF ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

ANSWER SHEET

1. Answer :

 Data explosion: The digital era has produced a previously unheard-of volume of data. Structured
and unstructured data is constantly flooding organizations from a variety of sources, including social
media, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and customer interactions. By offering tools for data
analysis and reporting, DSS assists businesses in making sense of this data, facilitating data-driven
decision-making.

 Complex Decision-Making: In the competitive and complicated business environment of today,

decisions are frequently diverse and depend on a variety of factors. DSS provides sophisticated
modeling and simulation capabilities, enabling businesses to examine many scenarios and gauge the
possible effects of their choices. In sectors like finance, healthcare, and supply chain management,
this is especially important.

 Globalization: As businesses grow internationally, they encounter a variety of markets, rules, and
cultural quirks. In order to help businesses enter new markets, manage worldwide supply chains, or
adhere to various regulatory and tax requirements, DSS may offer global data and market
intelligence.

 Real-Time Decision-Making: To remain competitive, real-time decision-making is now necessary in

many businesses. To deliver up-to-date information, DSS can interact with real-time data streams,
sensors, and external APIs. For instance, DSS are used by financial organizations for high-
frequency trading and by e-commerce businesses for inventory control and dynamic pricing.
  Compliance with rules: Many sectors, including healthcare, finance, and energy, are subject to strict
rules. By offering audit trails, compliance reporting, and predictive analytics to proactively identify
potential compliance concerns, DSS can help track and ensure adherence to these standards.

2. Answer :

 Temporal Constraints : When making decisions, time is frequently a crucial restriction. While some
decisions can wait, others can be taken with greater thought. The decision-making process itself and
the quality of the information supplied can both be impacted by how quickly a decision must be
made.

 Data timeliness : Over time, data's relevance and accuracy vary. When making decisions, decision-
makers must take the most recent data and information into account. Decisions made with outdated
information may not be as good as those made using real-time or almost real-time data.

 Temporal Analysis : It's crucial to comprehend how variables change through time. To assist
decision-makers in evaluating previous trends and foreseeing future changes, decision support
systems (DSS) frequently include time series analysis and forecasting.

 Decision Sequencing : Multiple decisions may be related or dependent on one another in complex
decision contexts. The order in which choices are taken can significantly affect the final result. It is
essential to comprehend how selections were made in time.

 Feedback Loops : Decisions often involve feedback loops, where the results of one decision
influence others. Decision-makers must take into account these feedback mechanisms and foresee
how current actions may affect future results.

3. The model proposed by Dreyfus and Dreyfus, known as the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition, outlines
different stages of skill development and expertise, ranging from novice to expert. While the model is
primarily used to understand how individuals acquire skills, it can provide valuable guidance to
decision support systems (DSS) in the following ways:

 User profiling and personalization: The Dreyfus & Dreyfus model takes into account a range of
knowledge from novice to expert. According to the user's ability level, DSS can utilize this data to
create user profiles and customize the system's interactions and recommendations. DSS might offer
more direction and detailed explanations for beginners while offering more sophisticated tools and
alternatives for experts.

 Decision Process Guidance : The model demonstrates how decision-making abilities change as
people move from depending on rules and regulations (novices) to intuition and tacit knowledge
(experts). DSS can assist users in moving through this process by providing decision support that is
appropriate for their current level of expertise. It might give organized decision-making frameworks
for beginners while providing data-driven insights and decision-making scenarios for specialists.
  Feedback and Learning : The Dreyfus approach places a strong emphasis on the value of learning
and receiving feedback as people advance in their skill development. DSS has feedback systems that
can be used to assist users become better decision-makers. The learning process is aided, for
instance, by the post-decision analysis and improvement suggestions.

4. Advantages of Allowing Window Sizing :

 Flexibility: Users can customize the layout of their DSS interface to suit their preferences and work
style. This flexibility can lead to increased user satisfaction and efficiency.

 Multitasking: Resizable windows enable users to view and work with multiple pieces of information
simultaneously. This can be particularly valuable when comparing data, running analyses, or cross-
referencing information.

 Accessibility: Users with different screen sizes, resolutions, or accessibility needs can adapt the
interface to their specific requirements, making the DSS more inclusive.

Disadvantages of Allowing Windows Sizing :

 Clutter: When users overcrowd their desk, it creates clutter and makes using the computer less
intuitive. Too many windows can make it difficult to focus and can create chaos.

 Information overload: Resizable windows may tempt users to display an excessive amount of
information at once, potentially inundating them with information and making it harder for them to
concentrate on important insights.

 Performance: Running many resizable windows could use up more system resources, which might
have an impact on how well the DSS performs.

5. Answer :

a. Question: "Can you describe a recent decision-making process or situation where you felt you
needed better support or information? What were the challenges you faced?"

 If the person is too talkative: Redirect the conversation by saying, "Thank you for sharing that
example. Can you briefly summarize the key challenges you encountered in that situation?"

 If the person is uncooperative: If the interviewee is reluctant to share, try to build rapport first by
asking more general questions about their role and responsibilities. Then, circle back to this
question later in the conversation.

b. Question: "What types of data, information, or analysis do you regularly require to make informed
decisions in your role?"

 If the person is too talkative: Acknowledge their input and ask, "Could you provide a few
specific examples of the most critical types of data or information you need?"
  If the person is uncooperative: Reassure them that their input is valuable and ask, "Is there any
specific information or analysis that would make your decision-making process easier or more
effective?"

c. Question: "Are there any features or functionalities you wish your current decision support tools or
systems had that would improve your decision-making process?"

 If the person is too talkative: Politely guide them to specifics by saying, "I appreciate your
insights. Can you identify the top three features you believe would be most beneficial?"

 If the person is uncooperative: Frame the question positively by asking, "In an ideal scenario,
what kind of support or features would you find most valuable when making decisions?"