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Instructor: |
273-2987 |
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Addresses: |
255 Business Building |
daniel.power@uni.edu |
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Course Time: |
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and by appointment |
Power, D. J. Decision
Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers, Quorum Books, 2002.
Friedrichsen, L., Microsoft Excel 2002 with Visual Basic for Applications
(advanced), Course Technology, 2002. You need to download the files from
the publisher website.
In February,
you will need to purchase from Copyworks a course
packet with 2 or 3 additional Excel tutorials.
You can use
the course user name (150127DSS) and password (spring2007) to access the
DSSResources.COM subscriber zone. The subscriber zone has many course support
materials that you will find necessary and useful.
Study of decision support systems and applications. Topics include: decision
making, modeling and support; DSS development tools with particular emphasis on
Spreadsheet-based DSS; and organizational and social implications of decision
support systems. Prerequisites: 150:032; 150:034 or 810:034; 150:080; 150:112;
150:120 (recommended); 150:153; junior standing.
Decision Support Systems is a specialized course in information systems
and information technology (IS/IT) for undergraduate MIS majors. The course is
targeted to senior MIS students who want more expertise in developing, managing
and using Decision Support Systems. This course will examine the design,
development and implementation of information technology based systems that
support managerial and professional work, including Communications-Driven and
Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS), Data-Driven DSS, Model-Driven DSS,
Document-Driven DSS, and Knowledge-Driven DSS.
In general, Decision Support Systems are used by people who are skilled
in their jobs and who need to be supported rather than replaced by a computer
system. The broadest definition states that Decision Support Systems are
interactive computer based systems and subsystems that help decision makers
utilize data, models and/or communications to solve problems and make
decisions. Data-Driven DSS emphasize using data and include Executive Information
Systems (EIS); Model-Driven DSS emphasize using models to support decision
making. A Communications-Driven or Group decision support system (GDSS) is an
interactive computer-based system intended to facilitate the solution of
problems by decision makers working together as a group and includes groupware.
Knowledge-Driven DSS attempt to capture the knowledge of a human expert in a
computer system. This computer system can then be used by less expert users.
Document-Driven DSS access and display text and multimedia information to
support decision-making.
Managers and IS professionals must share responsibility for the
effectiveness of information systems and for dealing with the problems and
opportunities presented by rapidly changing information technologies. Managers
must consider both information systems and information technology issues when
they design jobs, supervise subordinates, work with customers and suppliers,
formulate strategy, develop goals and plans and implement management controls.
Some of you may become Decision Support analysts and others may become
DSS technical analysts. A Decision Support analyst is a staff specialist who
uses DSS and prepares special studies for decision makers. A DSS technical
analyst serves as a liaison with actual and potential users of a DSS and may
help build a specific DSS with technical experts and IS/IT "toolsmiths". A DSS technical analyst is usually the
intermediary or liaison between users and DSS developers. He/she may work as a
member of a DSS application development/support team. A DSS technical analyst
often works gathering requirements, analyzing solutions, writing
specifications, maintaining product information as well as assisting in
training and documentation support. A DSS analyst often works with users to
define and document requirements for Decision Support Systems. Also, a DSS
analyst may help redesign business processes to better use a computerized
Decision Support System. Some DSS technical analysts manage a specific DSS or
ensure data integrity in a focused decision support data mart like a customer
data mart. Some DSS analysts are decision process designers,
The primary focus of this course is developing intellectual
capabilities related to the design and development of decision support systems
and Web-based information systems. We will also explore the role of information
systems, especially decision support systems in supporting organization goals
and the impact of decision support systems on organizations.
The perspective is both managerial and technical. My overriding concern
is helping you become a person who can use and manage information systems and
technologies to improve you own productivity, the productivity of subordinates
and co-workers and the productivity of the organization as a whole. The skills
instruction will focus on end user development of small-scale,
spreadsheet-based DSS built using MS Excel.
Discussions will emphasize both skills and knowledge that MIS staff
need for building and implementing DSS. My approach will be oriented toward an
analysis of what is possible. We will examine both theories and descriptive
case examples. Hands-on sessions will emphasize advanced skills related to MS
Excel that can be applied to decision support and management problems.
Another purpose of this course is to help you learn to use the
World-Wide Web and a password protected Intranet for a variety of tasks,
including reading articles, submitting information and conducting research.
More importantly, we will learn about the Internet and the Web in the hope that
you will find novel business decision support uses for this relatively new
information technology.
As a result of
our work together in this course, you should:
1. better understand advanced
concepts associated with DSS, MIS and IS/IT.
2. develop a more sophisticated
understanding of how IS/IT can help a firm meet its objectives, including
gaining a competitive advantage, increasing revenues and profits, decreasing
expenses, providing better customer service, and improving decision making.
3. become a better informed developer
of Decision Support Systems. We will especially emphasize development of
spreadsheet-based DSS applications and Visual Basic for Applications.
4. learn more about the Internet,
the World-Wide Web and its potential decision support uses and impacts.
5. become more aware of the
organizational and social impact of information and decision support systems on
organizations.
Grading Process
Approximately
one-half of our class sessions are oriented to lectures, company DSS examples
and discussion of reading material. The other half of the class sessions are
hands-on spreadsheet-based DSS computer labs.
Your final
grade is a function of the following:
|
Tasks |
Points |
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Assignments/Exercises/Quizes |
75 |
|
Spreadsheet-based DSS Project |
125 |
|
3 Unit Exams - DSS book and Excel |
300 |
|
Total Points |
500 |
Students
receiving at least 92% of the points will receive an A; at least 82%, a B; at
least 72%, a C. Plus and minus grades will be awarded. The curve may be
adjusted downward at the discretion of the instructor.
Three Unit exams are scheduled in the class over the DSS text, cases, lectures, reading assignments and Microsoft Excel and Visual
Basic for Applications concepts. The Unit exams will be a mix of questions,
possibilities include short answer, short essay, mini-case analysis, and
multiple choice questions. The actual format of the exam will be discussed in
class prior to each exam.
You will be expected to complete a number of in-class and out-of-class
assignments, quizes and exercises (maximum of 75
points). If you have problems that prevent you from following the class
schedule, please let me know in advance and we will discuss how we might
accomodate your situation. In class labs are open book and open notes. If the
lab is submitted at the end of the lab session, then the student can receive
100% of the points. Lab exercises/tutorials submitted within 24 hours of the
end of a lab session can receive a maximum of 80% of the total points for the
lab. Exercises/tutorials submitted
within 1 week of the due date will receive 60% of the total points for the lab.
The Spreadsheet-based DSS Project (125 points) is an opportunity for
students to work together on a team with one or two other students to apply
their DSS design and development skills using Microsoft Excel to develop a
small-scale, spreadsheet-based DSS. During the semester students will work on a
voluntary team to develop a model-driven, spreadsheet-based DSS to assist in
project cost estimating and bidding. Teams can pick an industry minicase situation and then research, plan and develop a
specific DSS for that situation. The situation should involve developing a
model-driven DSS for forecasting the cost of a project and preparing a
competitive bid to submit to the person requesting the project proposal. The
specific DSS will support a person working as a cost estimator or bid
specialist or similar job title. In general, cost estimators "develop the
cost information that business owners or managers need to make a bid for a
contract or to determine if a proposed new product will be profitable."
Cost estimators compile and analyze data on all the factors that can influence
costs—such as materials, labor, location, and special requirements, including
computer hardware and software. The specific model-driven DSS that is developed
should help an estimator input data, apply a detailed quantitative estimating
model, conduct sensitivity and "what if" analyses, and prepare a
formal bid proposal. Project teams will submit 4 deliverables during the
semester. Deliverable #3 is the completed Spreadsheet-based DSS (50 points). Team members will complete and submit peer
evaluations during the final exam period.
Optional
Research Report/Case Study
An optional Research Report/Case Study Project (100 points) can be
completed individually or in a small group. During the semester students should
propose a project that provides an opportunity for advanced study and
analysis. Possible projects include a
traditional research paper on a relevant DSS topic, a new Excel tutorial, a
review and critique of a computerized decision support tool/package or a case
study of a decision support system used in an organization. If you choose this
option, a project proposal must be approved by
Attendance and Class Participation:
You are expected to participate in all class sessions. Active,
consistent participation in class is an essential part of the learning experience.
You need to read the materials and prepare for the discussions and lab
sessions. I may assign graded review questions for students to complete and
submit. Meaningful participation in discussions is valued and needed.
Meaningful participation means making a contribution to our discussion, not
merely talking or submitting messages, and it does not mean simply agreeing
with what others have said. I reserve the right to lower your grade for limited
participation in course activities.
AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION/DISABILITY POLICY
"The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protectionfrom illegal discrimination for qualified
individuals with disabilities. Students requesting instructional
accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodation through
the Office of Disability Services. The ODS is located at: 213 Student
Services Center, and the phone number is:
273-2676."
UPDATES
Course
materials, syllabus and assignments may be updated, revised or altered during
the course. Changes will be announced in class or by email with at least 2
weeks notice. Also, check the course web page. Last updated December 22, 2006.