chapter 7

Decision Making Stages

Intelligence, Design, Choice

Management Information System (MIS)

Provides right information to the right person in the right format at the right time

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Used for unstructured problems

Group Support Systems (GSS)

Used for group decision making

Executive Support Systems (ESS)

Specialized DSS for senior-level executives

Corporate strategic plan

A comprehensive outline of the company's long-term goals and objectives.

Data from the ERP system and TPS

Information collected from Enterprise Resource Planning systems and Transaction Processing Systems.

Components of a DSS

Include the database, model base, extranets, networks, and user interface.

Executive support systems (ESSs)

Specialized systems designed for senior management, offering easy use and handling internal and external data.

Knowledge management

Involves sharing knowledge and experience among managers and employees to support decision-making.

Artificial intelligence

Systems that replicate human decision-making for specific problems.

Expert systems

Enable novices to perform at an expert level, developed and maintained carefully.

Multimedia in business

Reshapes communication by offering new ways to visualize processes and express ideas.

Virtual reality

Creates computer-simulated environments for users to interact with.

Data workers vs

Data workers handle raw facts, while knowledge workers create, use, and disseminate knowledge.

Virtual Reality

Refers to applications that enable users to interact in computer-simulated environments.

Expert System

A collection of integrated components including an inference engine that processes rules and data.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags

Small chips containing product information for quick scanning and inventory control.

Systems Development Life Cycle

The process of developing information systems, including investigation, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance.

Prototyping

An iterative approach where requirements are identified, solutions are designed, and parts of the system are implemented in each cycle.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

Utilizes tools and methodologies to accelerate application development.

Systems Investigation

Phase focusing on identifying problems, opportunities, and required resources for a new or enhanced system.

Object-Oriented Systems Development

Combines systems development life cycle with object-oriented modeling and programming for system design.

Feasibility Analysis

Evaluates technical, economic, legal, operational, and schedule feasibility of a proposed system.

Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs)

Graphical tools used to describe activities fulfilling business relationships or tasks in systems analysis.

Object-Oriented Systems Analysis

Approach using classes to describe different types of objects in a system.

Systems Analysis Report

Document detailing existing system strengths/weaknesses, user requirements, and organizational needs.

Systems Design

Process answering how the information system will solve a problem and detailing technical components.

Logical and Physical Design

Describing functional requirements (logical) and specifying system characteristics (physical).

Object-Oriented Design

Designing key objects and classes considering problem domain, environment, and user interface.

Environmental Design Considerations

Focus on green design to reduce power consumption and environmental impact.

Generating Systems Design Alternatives

Process involving RFP for required resources and evaluating/selecting designs.

Systems Implementation

Involves hardware acquisition, programming, user preparation, personnel hiring/training, and testing.

Acquiring Hardware from an IS Vendor

Obtaining hardware from companies offering computer-related resources.

Acquiring Software

Decision on obtaining software externally or internally, including Software as a Service (SaaS).

Acquiring Database and Telecommunications Systems

Involves obtaining databases and communication systems.

User Preparation

Ready managers, employees, and stakeholders for new systems, often overlooked in implementation.

IS Personnel

Hiring and Training:Hiring and training IS personnel like managers, analysts, programmers, and operators.

Site Preparation

Preparing the location for a new system, focusing on energy efficiency and security.

Data Preparation

Ensuring files and databases are ready for use with new systems.

Installation

Physically placing and making computer equipment operational, often overseen by IS managers.

Testing

Includes unit, system, volume, integration, and acceptance testing to ensure system functionality.

Start-Up

Process of beginning to use the final tested information system, with approaches like direct conversion or pilot start-up.

User Acceptance

Formal agreement by users approving a system phase or completion, reducing vendor liability.

Systems Operation and Maintenance

Involves using and enhancing systems to achieve user and organizational goals.

Systems Review

Final step analyzing system performance and operation.

System Performance Measurement

Monitoring system errors, memory, processing time, and using software for measurement.

Summary

Involves stakeholders, SDLC phases (investigation, analysis, design, implementation, maintenance), and prototyping.