PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ITS MANAGEMENT

GROUP DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (GDSS)

Definition of GDSS?
A group decision-support system (GDSS) is an interactive computer-based system to facilitate the solution of unstructured problems by a set of decision makers working together as a group.

Why use GDSS?

High level managers can spend 80% of their time making decisions in groups. Applied correctly, GDSS can reduce this time, arriving at a better decision faster.

GDSS provides the hardware, software, databases and procedures for effective decision making.

Needs of Elements in Meetings.

Improved pre-planning, to make meetings more effective and efficient. Increased participations, so that all attendees will be able to contribute fully even if the number of attendees is large. Free riding (attending meetings but not contributing) must also be addressed. Open, collaborative meeting atmosphere, in which attendees from various organizational levels feel able to contribute freely. Lower-level attendees must be able to participate without fear of being judged by their management; higher status participants must be able to participate without having their presence or ideas dominate the meeting and result in unwanted conformity. Criticism-free idea generation, enabling attendees to contribute without undue fear of feeling personally criticized. Evaluation objectivity, creating an atmosphere where an idea will be evaluated on merits rather than on basis of the source of idea.

Needs of Elements in Meetings. Contd

Idea organization and evaluation, which require keeping the focus on meeting objectives, finding efficient ways to organize the many ideas that can be generated in a finding effective ways to organize the many ideas that can be generated in a brainstorming session, and evaluating those ideas not only on their merits but also with appropriate time constraints. Setting priorities and making decisions, which require finding ways to encompass the thinking of all attendees in making these judgments. Documentations of meetings, so that attendees will have a complete and organized a record of the meeting as may be needed.

Access to external information, which will allow significant, factual disagreements to be settled in a timely fashion, thus enabling the meeting to continue and be productive. Preservation of organizational memory, so that those who do not attend meetings can have access to information.

Characteristics of GDSS
Special Design

Ease of use
Specific and general support

Suppressing negative group behavior

Supporting positive group behavior

Advantages of GDSS
Anonymity : drive out fear leading to better decisions from a diverse hierarchy of decision makers Parallel Communication : eliminate monopolizing providing increased participation, better decisions Automated record keeping : no need to take notes, theyre automatically recorded

Ability for virtual meetings : only need hardware, software and people connected Portability : Can be set up to be portable laptop Global Potential : People can be connected across the world No need for a computer guru : although some basic experience is a must

Disadvantages of GDSS
Cost : infrastructure costs to provide the hardware and software/room/network connectivity can be very expensive Security : especially true when companies rent the facilities for GDSS; also, the facilitator may be a lower-level employee who may leak information to peers Technical Failure : power loss, loss of connectivity, relies heavily on bandwidth and LAN/WAN infrastructure properly setup system should minimize this risk Keyboarding Skills : reduced participation may result due to frustration Training : learning curve is present for users, varies by situation Perception of messages : lack of verbal communication could lead to misinterpretation

GDSS Software Tools

Electronic questionnaires aid the organizers in pre-meeting planning by identifying issues of concern and by helping to ensure that key planning information is not overlooked. Electronic brainstorming tool allows individuals simultaneously and anonymously to contribute ideas on the topics of the meeting. Idea organizers facilitates the organized integration and synthesis of ideas generated during brainstorming. Questionnaires tools support the facilitators and group leaders as they gather information before and during the process of setting priorities.

GDSS Software Tools contd

Tools for voting or setting priorities make available a range of methods from simple voting, to ranking in order, to a range of weighted techniques for setting priorities or voting. Stakeholder identification and analysis tools use structured approaches to evaluate the impact of an emerging proposal upon the organization, and to identify stakeholders upon proposed project Policy formation tools provide structured for developing agreement on the wording of policy statements. Group dictionaries document agreement on definitions of words and central to the project.

Future Implementations of GDSS

Integrating into existing corporate framework GDSS brings changes which must be managed GDSS will incorporate Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems the software will learn and help the users make better decisions Decreasing cost will allow more organizations to use GDSS Increasing implementation of GDSS with the customer Customer voice their needs in non-threatening environment GDSS may play a large role in the future of the virtual companies GDSS can help the virtual companies do business in the global business environment GDSS can help promote a culturally diverse work environment Telework seems to make a lot of sense using GDSS