Decision Support Systems - Chapter 6: Decision Support System Development

Chapter 6Decision Support System DevelopmentDecision Support Systems 1© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangOutline1.The system development life cycle Tools2. Alternative development methodologies3. DSS development methodology4. DSS technology levels and tools5. DSS development tool selection6. Team developed DSS7. User developed DSS2© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang1.Systems Development Life CycleFour phasesPlanningAnalysisDesignImplementationCyclical Can return to other phasesWaterfall model3© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangToolsComputer-aided software engineering design toolsUpper CASE – Creates systems diagramsLower CASE Manages diagrams and code Integrated CASECombinationRAD (rapid application development) design toolsEnterprise class repository and collaboration toolsUML modelingAnalysis and design softwareCode debugging methodsTesting and quality assurance tools4© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangSuccessful Project ManagementEstablish a baseline Define scope of projectManage change and scope creepGet support from upper managementEstablish timelines, milestones, and budgets based on realistic goalsInvolve usersDocument everything5© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangImplementation FailuresLack of stakeholder involvementIncomplete requirementsUnclear purposeUnrealistic expectationsProject champion leavesLack of skill or expertiseInadequate human resourcesNew technologies6© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangProject Management ToolsProject management software can allow:Collaboration among disparate teamsResource and program managementPortfolio managementWeb enabled (to allow collaborative teamwork online over time and distance)Aggregates and analyses project data7© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang2.Alternative Development MethodologiesParallel developmentMultiple development on separate systemsRADQuick development allowing fast, but limited functionalityPhased developmentSequential serial development (each version has more functionality than the previous one)PrototypingRapid development of portions of projects for user input and modificationSmall working model or may become functional part of final systemThrowaway prototypingPilot test on simple development platforms to learn about user requirements and the final system to be developed8© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang9© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangAgile DevelopmentA new form of rapid prototypingExtreme Programming (XP) is the most popular example of agile processesUsed for:Unclear or rapidly changing requirementsSpeedy developmentCharacteristics of the tools:Heavy user inputIncremental delivery with short time framesTend to have integration problems10© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangDSS Development MethodologyMost DSS are developed through the prototyping process.Iterative designEvolutionary developmentMiddle-out processAdaptive designIncremental design11© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangDSS PrototypingShort steps PlanningAnalysisDesignPrototype Immediate stakeholder feedback to ensure that the development is proceeding correctlyIterative In development of prototypeWithin the system in generalEvaluation is integral part of the development processControl mechanism12© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang3.DSS PrototypingAdvantagesUser and management involvementLearning explicitly integratedPrototyping bypasses information requirementShort intervals between iterationsLow costImproved user understanding of systemDisadvantagesChanging requirementsMay not have thorough understanding of benefits and costsPoorly testedDependencies, security, and safety may be ignoredHigh uncertaintyProblem may get lostReduction in qualityHigher costs due to multiple productions13© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangChange ManagementCrucial to DSSPeople resistant to changeExamine cause of changeMay require organizational culture shiftLewin-Schein change theory: three stepsUnfreezeCreate awareness of need for changePeople support what they help createMoveDevelop new methods, attitutes and behaviorsCreate and maintain momentumRefreezeReinforce desired changesEstablish stable environment14© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang4.DSS Technology LevelsDSS primary toolsFundamental elements Programming languages, graphics, editors, query systemsDSS generator (engine)Integrated software package for building specific DSSModeling, report generation, graphics, risk analysisExamples: Excel, OLAP systems, Lingo.Specific DSSDSS application that accomplishes the workDSS primary tools are used to construct integrated tools that are used to construct specific tools15© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangDSS technology levels16© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang5. DSS Development Tool SelectionHardwarePCs to multiprocessor mainframesSoftwareInvolves multiple criteria (when selecting software)Develop in house, outsource, or buy off the shelfOff the shelf software rapidly updated; many on marketPrices fluctuateDifferent tools available17© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang6. Team developed DSSTeam developed DSS requires substantial effort to build and manage.The systems are constructed by a team composed of users, DSS developers, technical support experts, and IS personnel.Developing a DSS with a team is a complex, lengthy, costly process.Since early 2000s, tools and generators have improved, smaller teams can handle complex DSS development.18© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and LiangEnd user developed DSSDecision-makers and knowledge workers develop to solve problems or enhance productivityAdvantagesShort delivery timeUser requirements specifications are eliminatedReduced implementation problemsLow costsRisksQuality may be lowMay have lack of documentationSecurity risks may increase19© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang 7.Developing DSS: Putting the system togetherTwo important concepts:The use of highly automated tools throughout the DSS development processThe reuse of prefabricated components.DSS is much more than just a DBMS, MBMS, GUI, interface, and knowledge component. There are interfaces among the components and with outside systems.The system core includes a development language or a DSS generator.20© 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, Turban, Aronson, and Liang