08 Knowledge Based DSS

Introduction
• A decision support system (DSS) is an
interactive computer-based system intended
to help managers make decisions.
• A DSS helps a manager retrieve, summarize
and analyze decision relevant data.
 KBDSS
• knowledge-based decision support systems
(KBDSS) are hybrid systems of DSS and ES that
help solve a broad range of organizational
problems.
• Sometimes referred to as expert support
systems (ESS) or intelligent support systems
(ISS)
 KBDSS
• A knowledge Based DSS includes an
Expert System (ES) as one of the main
components that provides:
–Simulation of reasoning,
–Explanation of reasoning and
conclusions
• This is very helpful in decision making
where expertise is required.
 Models
• Decisions involves the exploration
of situations that do not yet exist.
• Analysing these situations requires
one to build a model that abstracts
the real situation.
 Decisions
• There are two types of decisions,;
–Programmed (Structured)
–Non-programmed (Unstructured)
• At the heart of DSS lie decisions and
decision making of which modelling
is the core.
 Decisions
• decisions can be classified in terms of two
dimensions, namely, scope and nature.
• In terms of scope, decisions are either:
strategic, tactical or operational,
• in terms of nature, decisions can be classified
into structured, semi-structured or
unstructured decisions
 Decisions
• Decision making has a four phase
model;
i. Intelligence
ii. Design
iii. Choice
iv. Implementation/ Review
The Decision Making Process
Development of Knowledge Bases DSS

Refer to topics on DSSs, Modelling and

Application Development
 Implementation
• The following are common strategies that are
used in guiding decision-making processing
a) Optimizing: select the course of action with
the highest payoff/utility
– cost/benefit of all alternatives
– costly to perform
– can’t adequately measure utility
 Implementation
b) Satisfying: select the course of action “good
enough” to meet minimal set of requirements.
all alternatives not considered
– limited time, effort, money to make decision
– alternatives considered sequentially
 Implementation
c) Elimination-by-aspects: narrowing process,
eliminating alternatives that fail with respect
to one aspect. may eliminate one that is
“overall” superior to others in all but a single
aspect
d) Incrementalism: “muddling through” or
“putting out fires” successive comparison of
alternatives to current course, to find ways of
removing shortcomings of present approach
 Implementation
e) Mixed scanning: scanning: search, collection,
processing, evaluating, weighing of
information degree varies with importance of
decision list the alternatives and reject those
with “crippling objection” continue until one
alternative remains
Knowledge Based DSS Structure
 Knowledge Based DSS
• A bottleneck in the development of
knowledge-based systems is knowledge
acquisition
• Knowledge acquisition is part of Knowledge
engineering – (representation, validation,
inferencing, explanation and maintenance.)
• Knowledge base modules are being used to
formulate problems and decision models, and
analyse and interpret the results.
• The Knowledge Management component
stores and manages a new class of emerging
AI tools such as machine learning and case-
based reasoning and learning.
 References
• WHAT IS A DSS? by D. J. Power
http://www.taborcommunications.com/dsstar/971021/100015.html
• Mintzberg, H., Raisinghani, D. and Theoret, A. (1976). The Structure
of Unstructured Decision Processes, Administrative Science
Quarterly, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 246–275.
• Michel R. Klein, Roland Traunmüller, User interface of knowledge
based-DSS development environment, some further developments
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/3-540-57234-1_77?null
• Power, D. (2001). Supporting Decision-Makers: An Expanded
Framework, in Proceedings of Informing Science Conference, The
United States of America, pp. 431–436.