Differences between Building a Traditional DSS and an ODSS: Lessons from the Air Force's Enlisted Force Management System
Abstract
Early descriptions of decision support systems (DSS's) were based on the paradigm of a single decisionmaker at a stand-alone terminal or microcomputer who had a specific decision (non-repetitive, semi-structured) to make. (Some of the early literature even recommended matching the user interface to the cognitive style of the decisionmaker). However, recent advances in computer technology, information systems, and telecommunications have facilitated a broadening of the scope of a DSS to include organizational units and, in some cases, entire organizations. In what follows, I will use the term organizational decision support system (ODSS) to refer to a DSS that is used by persons at several workstations in more than one organizational unit who make varied (interrelated but independent) decisions using a common tools. I will refer to the more traditional single user or single purpose system as a traditional decision support system (TDSS). The basic building blocks of an ODSS are the same as those of a TDSS: (1) model base (and model management system); (2) database (and database management system); and (3) user interface (a dialog system that manages the interaction between the user and the two components).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA228226
Entities
People
- Warren E. Walker
Organizations
- RAND Corporation