Chapter 12: Management Support Systems

Question 1

Structured decisions/Programmable tasks

Answer 1

• Can be automated (done by a computer) because a well-defined standard operating procedure exists for these types of decisions
• Structured decisions = Programmable Tasks
• Ex: Record keeping, payroll
• Uses information technology

Question 2

Semistructured decisions

Answer 2

• Include a structured aspect that benefits from information retrieval, analytical models, and information systems technology
• Uses own knowledge and information systems/tech
• Ex: Sales forecasting
• Challenge: Involve multiple criteria and users have to choose between conflicting objectives

Question 3

Unstructured decisions

Answer 3

• One-time decisions with no standard operating procedure
• Decision maker’s intuition plays an important role as information technology offers less support for the decisions
• Ex: Research, hiring and firing
• Challenge: Involve multiple criteria and users have to choose between conflicting objectives

Question 4

Management Support Systems (MSS)

Answer 4

• Different types of information systems that have been developed to support certain aspects and types of decisions
• Each type is designed with unique goals and objectives

Question 5

4 Phases of decision making

Answer 5

1. Intelligence: Data is collected and processed
2. Design: Defines criteria (goal) and options
3. Choice: Chooses best option
4. Implementation: Implements said option

Question 6

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Answer 6

Interactive information system designed to assist decision makers in an organization 
Three Parts:
  1) Database
  2) Model Base
  3) User interphase

Question 7

If we used excel as a what if analysis, excel would be a…

Answer 7

Decision support system (DSS)