Session 8

MBA MIS 150:249

Today's Agenda -- Wednesday, January 10, 2007

  • Prior to preparing your final case analysis and presentation, please read my comments in the Ask Dan! in DSS Applications titled "What are the answers to the DSS case study questions at DSSResources.COM?". Follow the link. The presentation should be a maximum of 15 minutes long and no more than 15 Power Point slides.
  • Closed book Exam (100 points) covers the content in Power Decision Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers. The exam will include 40 multiple choice questions (60 points), 10 short answer questions (20 points), and 10 Excel multiple choice questions (20 points).

To Do and Upcoming

Please read/skim the following cases

For Class Sessions 9 & 10 -- Assigned cases in presentation order. 15 minute presentations (PPT max 15 slides -- case summary, analysis of major issues, and lessons learned). Written analysis 5-7 pages due Jan. 24.

Wed., January 17, 2007

  1. Brandi Glasnapp Case #15 "George Washington University Data-Driven Decision Support Project"
  2. Linda Kobliska Case #23 "SunTrust 'Banks' on Crystal Ball"
  3. Helen Miao Case #8 "University of Alberta increases timely access to policies and procedures"
  4. Karolina Rosty Case #26 "Naval Medicine CIOs use collaboration and knowledge-sharing decision support application"
  5. Tori Stafford Case #26 "University of Northern Iowa Dining Services uses FoodPro®"
  6. Shintawati Case #14 "Bayer's unique planning wizard system cures budgeting headaches"
  7. Brenda Barth Case #43 "Understanding customers' preferences at Applebee's International"
  8. Ryan Pautsch Case #6 "Briggs & Stratton harnesses operational data"
  9. Steve Forest Case #10 "PADAL helps US Navy aircraft land aboard carriers"
  10. Rachel Jackson Case #1(new) "From Information to Answers: Transferring Expertise at the SBA"
  11. Bjork Sigurgisladottir Case #32 "Business Intelligence = $$$ for ShopKo Stores"

Wed., January 24, 2007

  1. Melinda Jackson Case #44 "Closing the Tax Gap in Iowa"
  2. Jacob Jackson Case #13 "Pfizer uses Alphablox Web-based platform"
  3. Raghunath Aerabati #12 "E-Docs Asset GIS: Washington County, Iowa"
  4. Emre Ozdogan Case #28 "Merck Deploys Web-Based Drug Discovery Visualization System"
  5. Manoj Bhandari Case #47 "Developing a Portfolio Approach to Capital Investment: U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs"
  6. Emmanuel Rivera Case #46 "Rebuilding an Emergency Operations Center for NYC following 9/11"
  7. Curt Hudnutt Case #45 "Anderson Clayton Corp. Delivers Real-Time Business Intelligence to U.S. Cotton Growers"
  8. Dallas Vit Case #31 "Pennzoil-Quaker State Select SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services for Comprehensive Business Intelligence Solution"
  9. Jared Kremer Case #20 "BMW Manufacturing operation in South Carolina"
  10. Cory Anderson Case #30 "Decision Support for Mayfield, NY Fire and Emergency Medical Services"
  11. Eric Ponto Case #18 "Shell Delivers the New Face of Fuel Retailing with Business Objects"
  12. Dan Ring Case #7 "Decisions at the touch of a button"

Documentation for the Spreadsheet-based DSS

Both external documentation and documentation within the application is needed. The external documentation must include printouts from Excel showing how formulas are calculated. You must include at least one screen shot. The documentation must be readable and useful to a person who wants to understand the DSS and possibly modify it. Clearly explain all of the great features in the DSS. Submit hardcopy and an electronic copy on a CD.

Documentation is both discussion about the application and explanation of how it works. How much discussion and explanation you need depends on the software application and the intended user(s).

You probably want the following sections in the external documentation (approx. 5 pages of discussion and explanation plus screenshots and printouts of formulas):

I. Introduction and purpose of the application

A. Purpose

B. Intended user(s)

C. Discussion – need, benefits, limitations

II. How it works!

A. The model(s), inputs and decision variables

B. Include and explain screen shots

C. User information/training issues

III. Design and development of the DSS

A. What you did and what worked and what didn’t work

B. Discussion of interesting features in the DSS – brag about your use of Excel capabilities, data validation, VLOOKUP, etc.

IV. Maintaining the Decision Support System

A. Discussion of data that may need updating, changing, etc.

B. Who would maintain the system?

C. Possible problems with maintaining the DSS

Documentation within the DSS should include notes and a documentation page; you may want to have an online manual or help capability.