This is preliminary list of topics I would like to cover this semester. Depending on the level of interest in the class in certain topics, some of the topics I have listed below may be elaborated on or replaced. This schedule will evolve in other ways as well. I will be scheduling practitioners to come in and address the class.
January 18
Overview of the course
Introduction to Decision Support Systems
Basic Concepts, Chapter 1 and 5 from Holsapple and Whinston
Review handouts on information systems, decision making and decision support by Alter
January 25
Using a decision support system that we developed for auditors at Grant Thornton Inc., I will discuss a range of issues related to decision processes, modeling technology, database management and systems analysis and design. You should review papers on the system. I would recommend reading the overview paper on the project first. The pointers to the electronic versions of the paper will be posted on the textbook and other resources page.
February 1
Introduction to human decision making
Heuristics, bounded rationality, common errors
Read chapter 2, 3 and 4 from Holsapple and Whinston
Be ready to discuss the paper by Janis and Mann on the psychology of decision making
February 8
Introduction to Problem Structuring methods
Variables, objectives, influence diagrams, and dictionaries
Chapter 2, 3 and 4 from Bodily
February 15
Introduction to Decision Trees and Influence Diagram-based analysis. Discussion of how these methods can be implemented in decision support systems. Alternative architectures.
The lecture will based on readings which discuss these analysis methods. Following the introduction, we will have a lab session with DPL. DPL, which stands for decision programming language, is a windows-based decision support system generator. You should review Chapters 6, 7 and 8 which discuss DSS architecture and development issues. I will discuss alternative architectures for implementing these tools.
February 22
We will discuss the Oglethorpe Power Corporation case. This discusses the use of DPL-based DSS that was used at OglethorpePower corporation to make investment decisions.
If required, we will have another lab session with DPL.
February 29
Multi-Criteria Decision Making, The Analytic Hierarchy Process, Discussion on ways in which these type of methods can be implemented in decision support systems. Once again, review Chapters 6, 7 and 8.
The lecture will be based on readings. Following the lecture, we will have a lab session with Expert Choice, a AHP-based decision support system generator.
March 7
We will discuss two cases that employed AHP. One is the context of political group decision making and another which discusses its use in manufacturing.
If needed, we will have another session with Expert Choice
March 14
Introduction to Optimization-based DSS
Review of the ways in which ER and mathematical programming models can be integrated. We will also address alternative ways of implementing these decision support systems. Review Chapters 6,7, 8 and 9 in Holsapple and Whinston.
We will discuss two cases. The first relates to the use of optimization-based DSS to assist class scheduling at the Darden School at the University of Virginia. The other relates to DSS used to help made downsizing decisions in the US Army.
March 21
Introduction to Client Server Computing Architectures on local and wide area networks
Review the Client/Server FAQ
Review the Information Systems Meta List which contains an extensive collection of client server resources
March 28
Holiday; Spring Break
April 4
We will discuss the growth of LAN-based client server computing and database server enabled decision support systems. We will focus on Open Data Base Connectivity (ODBC) drivers and ways in which Access/Excel Clients can use data resident in Oracle servers. Since Excel and other such clients can implement analytical models, this is one way of realizing DSS's within a C/S framework. The same technology can be used in other ways, for instance, implementing the decision support tool at the server and thereby promoting LAN-wide access. We will also discuss organizational implications of this sort of enabling technology.
I will present an overview of the Decision Net project which seeks to realize WWW-based electronic markets for DSS. The objective is to motivate implications that the WWW holds for decision support systems. This will set the ground for the technical discussion of HTTP and HTML forms, the main enabling technologies on the Web.
April 11
WAN-based client server computing
We will discuss the fundamental technologies underlying the world wide web. We will focus specifically on HTTP, HTML forms and CGI scripts. These are the enabling technologies required to implement decision support systems on the Web.
Case discussion of a web-based decision support system. Recall that this is the decision support system we discussed at the beginning of the semester. We will discuss the type of enterprise-wide connectivity enabled by the Web.
April 18
We will have Major Bill Branley of the US Army Artificial Intelligence Center discuss the MAD project which investigates the use of the intranets and internets to provide access to decision support systems. Major Branley's work is related to the DecisionNet project which I direct. DecisionNet seeks to create an electronic market for decision technologies.
April 25
Time permitting, we will review group decision support systems and engage in a brainstorming session with Vision Quest, a group decision support system. This will be a lab session at GSIA.
May 2
Final project presentations. All groups will present their projects. The written reports are also due. These reports, as noted earlier, need to be marked up in HTML and published on the Web.
Ramayya Krishnan rk2x@andrew.cmu.edu