Focal points for DSS effectiveness by CARL HARRINGTON

The primary emphasis in this presentation is to take a top-down view of a decision support system (DSS) and to see how the mere existence of DSS causes improvement in management effectiveness. The areas covered include development of information needs, requirement of consistency in using information, discipline in decision making, and the integration of decisions toward goals. The improved effectiveness from these areas is inherent in the information requirements that are set up during the development of a DSS. Can there be any doubt that improved information consistency and discipline in decision making improves management effectiveness? In other words, no matter the computational advantages and the efficiency of computers to manipulate and display numbers, a DSS automatically results in the identification of issues, begs for the resolution of those issues, and thus produces more consistent and integrated decisions in the choices of action plans and programs for the achievement of corporate goals.