This document provides an overview of a module on decision support systems. It discusses that the module will examine knowledge engineering techniques and reasoning strategies to support organizational decision making. Students will analyze cognitive decision making processes and critically assess how decision support systems provide support. The module will include lectures, labs, and tutorials using different software. It will be assessed through an exam and a case study. The lecture topics will cover decision modeling, group decision making, knowledge acquisition, and data mining. Labs will involve using decision support software and thinking about decision processes and structures.

1. Decision Support Systems Deliverer: Dr Les Ball

2. What’s the module about and not about? ABOUT, finding IT solutions To facilitate and support the decision making process So they feed into the human decision process too NOT about machines making decisions This is far, far too dangerous As they are not as good as us!!!!! Not about databases, though they are one mechanism that can feed the process We are at a deeper and more abstract level of thinking

3. Learning Outcomes Critically examine knowledge engineering techniques and reasoning strategies for organisational decision making. Analyse the cognitive decision making processes. Critically asses the "support" aspect of a Decision Support System.

4. SA1053a Delivery Lectures, labs, tutorials Labs Use different types of software to illustrate ideas behind decision making processes Assessment Exam 50% (To be decided – probably May) Case Study 50% Supporting Material http:// www.prenhall.com/marakas Marakas , G. M. (2003) DSS in the 21 st Century (2 nd Ed.) Quite expensive

5. Rough Lecture Schedule Lectures Start with directed reading Invited speaker to give you the cognitive context of decision making Will follow Marakas textbook closely on certain topics Topics will include ……….. Decision modelling Group decision making Knowledge acquisition and elicitation Data mining and machine learning Artificial intelligence

6. Lab work Game playing to offer insights into your cognitive thinking, attitude and self perception Practical experience of using DSS software Not commercial! But also the ability to think deeper about how decision processes and structures We shall use 3 very different approaches To brainstorm idea To structure a decision in terms of processes To structure a decision in terms of rules

7. Assessment – the examination Examination (50%) Could be on any topic presented from the set textbook Those who read around will obviously be much more primed We can look at last year’s paper maybe We can have revision sessions late in term As 4 th year students you are expected to take charge of your learning much more than last year So the lectures and directed reading are only pointers to topics which you should research more widely

8. Assessment – the Practical Will be based around the lab experiences you receive You will need to develop your expertise into areas of your choice (probably!) Some of the work will be group driven As part of the module is to se how you go about consensus etc in groups I must stress that working together is therefore important However you will be assessed individually for the most part Attendance WILL therefore necessarily feed directly into your grade for this assessment

9. A bit about the software DECISION EXPLORER A brainstorming tool to map decisions and consequences JUNIPER A research tool to map decision processes hierarchically RESOLVER A decision tree tool to structure rules

10. What do I expect? Of you? To be self led Independent learner Inquisitive Enjoy Go to a deeper level of enquiry

11. First week Directed Reading The paper you have is a seminal work by two of the most acknowledged authors in the field Kahneman and Tversky Should be a challenge and whet your appetite for this kind of module – see what you think of it. Marakas Chapters 1 & 3 Remember the website has slide presentations on each chapter http:// www.prenhall.com/marakas Chapter 1 covers the Introduction to Decision Support Systems Chapter 3 covers decision making in the organisation

12. So……. What is the likelihood that it will rain today? What are the processes you think you will need to go through to get the degree classification you are chasing? If the fire alarm suddenly goes off during this lecture what are the possible outcomes? Which investment strategy should I undertake?