GROUP DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Gokul VT

What a GDSS is?

• This is an interactive computer-based system that facilitates users finding (partial) solutions to semi-structured problems. A GDSS uses a set of decision makers working together as a group.

Definition• The best and simplest definition is “a computer-based

system to support a meeting”. • However, it is an interactive, computer-based system that

helps a team of decision-makers solve problems and make choices.

• These systems are targeted to supporting groups in analyzing problem situations and in performing group decision-making tasks.

• The name itself is very descriptive as it made up of a hybrid system that uses an elaborate communications infrastructure and heuristic and quantitative models to support decision making.

• Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) is also called referred to as a Group Support System (GSS), Collaborative Systems or an Electronic Meeting System since they shared similar foundations.

• However today’s GDSS is characterised by being adapted for a group of people who collaborate to support integrated systems thinking for complex decision making.

• Participants use a common computer or network to enable collaboration.

• GDSS contains most of the elements of decision support system plus software to provide effective support in group decision-making settings.

Groupware

• Groupware is any software package designed to support more than one person working on a shared task or refers to programs that help people work together collectively while located remotely from each other.

• Programs that enable real time collaboration are called synchronous groupware.

• Groupware is multiuser software that allows users to access the same data.

• Also, groupware usually provides a mechanism that helps users coordinate and keep track of on-going projects or decision processes.

• It helps people work together through computer-supported communication, collaboration, and coordination.

• Groupware services can include the sharing of calendars, collective writing, email handling, shared database access, electronic meetings with each person able to see and display information to others, and other activities.

• The best known "general purpose" groupware products include Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange both of which facilitate calendar sharing, e-mail handling, and the replication of files across a distributed system so that all users can view the same information, as well as Novell GroupWise 6, and Microsoft NetMeeting.

How does GDSS work?• In the GDSS, special computer software, the facilitator of each

meeting will first make the agenda of the meeting, which will be projected onto a big screen that everyone can see.

• Then the participants will type simultaneously in their ideas of the topic of discussion on the individual microcomputers next to them.

• Then the computer will sort the ideas, and then the participants will then vote or comment on which ideas they like or they dislike.

• In the course of the whole meeting, GDSS stores, categorizes and prints out all the ideas, comments and vote tallies, so that each of the meeting participants will get a summary of the meeting when it ends.

Impact of GDSS on Groups:

• GDSS focus the efforts of group members toward the task, or problem to be solved by the group.

• GDSS increase the overall quality of effort put in the decision process by the group.

• GDSS increase consensus reaching.

Group Decision Support Systems Types

1) Shared Electronic Resources Those using Shared Electronic Resources as a

means of conducting group meetings, either in batch mode or interactively. This form of group decision support requires little investment in software and still yields very effective results in terms of saving time.

2) Decision RoomThe Decision Room refers to the physical arrangement where the use of decision room software or Group DSS is normally utilized:

• For decision makers located in the same geographic area or building.

• With the use of computing devices, special software, networking capabilities, display equipment and a session leader.

• To collect, coordinate and feedback organized information to help a group make a decision and

• Combines face-to-face verbal interaction with technology-aided formalization.

Characteristics of a Decision Room include:1) Each participant has a computer workstation

or terminal for anonymous input;2) A leader (facilitator) coordinates the meeting;3) The room has a display screen that all

participants can view;4) Computers are networked and client/server

architecture is used; and5) Specialized software is available to all

participants for “brainstorming” and to support voting.

3) Teleconferencing

• A third type of GSS is teleconferencing, where group members across the continents can see each other on the screen, and conduct their meeting as if they were in the same room.

Levels of Group Decision Support Systems

There are three levels of Group Decision Support Systems:• Level 1 GDSS - provide technical features aimed at

removing common communication barriers such as voting, electronic message exchange.

• Level 2 GDSS - provide decision modeling and group decision techniques aimed at reducing uncertainty that occur in the group’s decision process.

• Level 3 GDSS - machine-induced group communication patterns and can include expert advice in the selecting and arranging of rules to be applied during a meeting.

Group Decision Support Systems Components

• As with almost all support systems, group support system (GSS) has three components: computer hardware, computer software, and network technology combined in a variety of configurations.

Advantages of Group Decision Support Systems

• More participation: Because a GDSS allows anonymity, group members may be encouraged to participate because they do not feel as vulnerable to group censure for asking what may be perceived as "foolish" questions or

making unpopular comments.• Group synergy:• Automated record keeping• More structure:• Other benefits - As a result of more participation, group synergy, record

keeping, and structure, many groups have been able to accomplish more in significantly less time necessary for traditional, non-automated meetings. Also, these factors have contributed to higher group satisfaction with the meeting process. Finally, the new technology has enabled larger groups to meet, resulting in more information, knowledge, and skills that are brought to bear to the task at hand.

Disadvantages of Group Decision Support Systems

• Slow Communication- Types slowly than speak.

• Not all Tasks are Agreeable to GDSSs - Group meetings which involve “one-to-many” communication (for example, a leader lecturing to the group) would not benefit from a GDSS. Only those tasks which require group members to exchange ideas or preferences efficiently (“many-to-many”) would benefit.