Exam 15: Implementing and Integrating Decision Support Systems

According to Alter, which of the following is not a DSS development category impetus?

Alter suggested that the initial impetus behind the development of a DSS can be categorized via: (1) user stimulus, (2) managerial stimulus and (3) environmental stimulus.

Which of the following is not a step in the Kolb-Frohman theory of change?

Which DSS implementation pattern is characterized by a consultant attempting to sell the need for a DSS to the user?

The ________________ construct focuses on the attitudes of the user with regard to the degree to which the system is perceived to bring utility or value to the activity within which it is used.

The essence of the Kolb-Frohman model is the assumption that the probability of successful implementation will result from a specific pattern of actions by the users and managers.

Implementation is a static process, occurring at the end of DSS development.

Physical integration can begin before a DSS is designed.

Utilizing the ratio of direct cost to direct benefit is an example of using organizational success measures to assess a DSS.

The logic behind user satisfaction as a measure of success is that the users will view a DSS as favorable if it is perceived to be effective in supporting the decision-making process. The more effective the system appears to be, the more satisfied the users will be with the system.

Davis developed a method of measuring user satisfaction of information systems based upon perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.

Integrating the DSS into the organization simply means that the new application is merged into the existing computing infrastructure such that the appearance of a seamless architecture appears to the user.

Perceived usefulness focuses on the attitudes of the user with regard to the degree to which the system is perceived to bring utility or value to the activity within which it is used.

This category measures the factors that contribute to the organizational aspects of the DSS. This category is primarily quantitative in nature and includes measures focusing on increases in revenue, cost reductions, increases in training effectiveness, increases in competitive advantages, and changes in productivity, among many others.

This category of assessment takes a micro focus on performance and addresses issues related to the functionality of the DSS within the specific problem context for which it was developed. Decision quality can be assessed in terms of time spent in the decision process, number of alternatives evaluated, and span of information searched. Additionally, qualitative measures dealing with trust or confidence, satisfaction, and understanding, can also be included in this measure.

Physical integration involves the architectural bundling of the hardware, software, and data communication characteristics associated with the new DSS into the existing set of physical systems.

Which of the following takes a process-centric perspective with regard to the design of an information system and its associated applications?

List seven characteristics of overall software quality.

In this system measurement category, the quality of the computer system becomes the focus. Issues such as response time, system availability, usage time, reliability, and quality of system support, among others are identified and measured. Measures in this category can be obtained using a variety of methods including direct observation, event logging, and attitude or perceptual construct surveys.

The Service with a Smile implementation pattern is the most common approach for a DSS.