Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should understand the nature of management and decision making in general; understand the process of decision support systems development; be able to develop a simple spreadsheet-based decision support system; and appreciate the scope and application of information systems applied to decision support.
Synopsis This subject provides the student with a detailed understanding of computer-based decision support. In particular the following topics will be covered: the nature of management; theories of decision making; approaches to decision support; decision support technologies; the development of decision support system; executive information systems and group decision support systems. Assessment will include the development of a small decision support system using common spreadsheet software to illustrate the concepts presented in lectures. Students will be expected to spend a significant amount of personal study time early in the semester learning the software and developing skills in representing decision situations. There will be two practical assignments, each of which must be accompanied by a written report of at least 1500 words.
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 50% + Practical work: 50%