User talk:Sana agha

GDSS- an emerging field

It has long been an accepted fact that managers seldom solve problems alone. The committees, project teams, and task forces in many companies represent group approaches to problem solving. Organizations have been struggling with this problem for years. They are now using GDSS as a way to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in meeting.

A Group Decision Support System (GDSS) is a "computer base system that supports group of people engaged in a common task and that provides an interface to a shared environment". In a more precise way, Turban (1995) defines it as "an interactive, flexible, and adaptable computer-based information system, especially developed for supporting the solution of a non-structured management problem for improved decision making. It utilizes data, provides an easy-to-use interface, and allows for the decision maker's own insights." There are some other terms describing the application of information technology to group settings, these include Electronic Meeting System (EMS), Group Support System(GSS), Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). The softwares used in these settings have been named as groupware. The underlying assumption of the GDSS is that improved communications make possible improved decisions. Improved communications are achieved by keeping the discussions focused on the problem, resulting in less wasted time, the time gained can be devoted to a more through discussion of the problem, thus contributing to better problem definition. A GDSS is frequently based on a local area network of microcomputers in a meeting room (although the system may also be distributed across several rooms or locations). Using a GDSS, group members may exchange comments, rank solution alternatives, edit group documents, or perform some other type of collaborative group work. Results of the group's discussion or votes may be displayed at the individual computer terminal screens or on a projection screen at the front of the meeting room. The comments, rankings, or voting results may also be printed out as minutes of the meeting for future reference.

Group Decision Support Systems give groups several benefits over many traditional, non-automated group meetings:

Preplanning: A clear-cut agenda of the topics for the meeting. Open, collaborative meeting atmosphere: Free flow of ideas and communications without any of the attendees feeling shy about contributing. Evaluation objectivity: Reduces "office politics" and the chance that ideas will be dismissed because of who presented them instead of what was presented. Documentation: Clear communication about what took place and what decisions the group made. Preservation of "organizational memory": Even those unable to attend the meeting will know what took place; great for geographically separated team members.

Lets go through with a short description of a sample GDSS at the University of Mississippi.

THE GDSS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Researchers at the University of Mississippi have developed a large, general-purpose, face-to-face GDSS, which consists of one microcomputer at the front of an auditorium for the group leader or facilitator and 54 microcomputers in a U-shaped configuration on four elevated tiers for the group members. Four of the 54 microcomputer stations at the front of the room are specifically designed for wheelchair access. In addition, a BARCO projection system and an overhead projector allow the group to see displays at the front of the room.

The GDSS uses Group-Forum (name of the software used, at there end) which includes four programs for idea generation and voting: Brainstorm, Rank, Rate, and Quest.

BRAINSTORM Brainstorm is an idea generation program that allows group participants to simultaneously and anonymously exchange ideas on a specific question proposed to the group. Thus, it promotes an electronic discussion in response to the question.

RANK Rank allows participants to order alternatives or choices according to some criterion. For example, group members may rank categories by their priority for funding.

RATE Rate allows participants to evaluate alternatives using several criteria. Any scale agreed upon by the group may be used to rate the items (for example, 1 to 5 or 1 to 10), as with the Rank program.

QUEST Quest allows participants to answer a multiple-choice or open-ended, on-line questionnaire. Questions and choices are listed on the right side of the screen and answers to the questions are entered in the left-most column on the screen.

A Group Decision Support System (GDSS) presents an efficient and effective method for large groups to conduct meetings in which comments or preferences must be exchanged. The given case study truly describes the working of GDSS at university.