What type of support is needed:

Recognise the nature of the decision.
context?
binary (yes / no)
fuzzy / uncertain
Irreversible
Optimal / satisfactory (see satisficing)

Recognise the importance of the decision.
potential risks / benefits
consequences

Recognise the role and responsibility of the decision-maker.

Recognise the factors which may influence the decision-making process:
decision style,
cognition,
management style,
personality,
and others ...

Recognise the information / data that is needed to support the decision.

Recognise the criteria to be used to choose the optimum (or best) outcome.

How support is provided

If decision-making is a process of choosing among alternatives to achieve a goal …

• What type of support is needed?
• How can we provide the support required?

What is decision support?

• Helping decision-makers make better (?) decisions.

• Better = ‘better outcomes’ = faster, more reliable, safer, higher chance of success, known consequences, less risk, recordable, etc.

• Providing tools and resources to maximise the opportunity to make a good decision.

• Techniques, information, models …

• Helping decision-makers choose the best (?) alternative from a range of alternatives.

• Intelligent systems? -- Making the decisions for the decision-makers.

Why do Management Roles need Decision Support?

Decision support = helping managers make better decisions.

• A wrong decision can have far-reaching consequences.
• No one person can remember (and recall) everything
• Frequently some form of calculating will be necessary
• A decision may be needed urgently

What form of support is needed?

Information that…

• is accurate
• is up-to-date
• is easy to assimilate
• is relevant
• has quick and easy access to specific records