CASE STUDY ON

GROUP DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM

Submitted by:
Ajay Sharma
00417003917
MBA 4th Sem
Div-A
 DEFINITION
• Decision Support Systems which we discussed so far
are designed for a manager who is a sole decision
maker. However, many decisionmaking situations call
for involvement of a number of persons, each
contributing towards the decision process. Information
technology supports such decision-making where there
is a group participation. Such decision support system
is called GDSS.
• GDSS has also same components as in DSS, namely
Database, Models, DSS Tools and something more
which group needs to work together.
 GROUP DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM
• If GDSS is a group responsibility then the group needs a platform to
conduct the process. Four configurations of group members are
possible as listed below.
a) Group members in one room operating on network with common
display screen to share the display for all members. GDSS process is
transparent.
b) Group members sit at their respective locations and use their
desktop and LAN to interact with other members. GDSS process is
not transparent as in case of ‘a’;
c) Group members are in different cities and they come together
through teleconferencing with prior planning for GDSS operations.
d) Group members are at remote locations may be in different
countries and they come together through long distance
telecommunication network.
In all four configurations, GDSS support software is
available on server for members to use.
Disregarding the configuration model of the
group and the type of network they use,
following activities are common.
• Sending the receiving information in all forms,
types across the network.
• Display of notes, graphic, drawings, pictures.
• Sharing ideas, choices, and indicating
preferences.
• Partcipate in decision-making process with
inputs, help and so on
 Contd…
• In GDSS, group members interact, debate,
communicate and conclude using different tools and
techniques. This process may not happen in real time
in continuous manner. › The process may run for
sometime online, then stop and wait for response(s),
then react on response till the problem is solved. › The
goal of GDSS is to improve the productivity od decision
makers, either by speeding up the decision making
process or by improving the quality of the resulting
decisions, or both. This is accomplished by providing
the support for exchange of ideas, opinions and
preferences within the group.
 Advantages of GDSS
• Groupware is the hardware, software platform of GDSS which
supports group work.
• Groupware applications make group member more efficient and
smart in decision-making.
• Groupware and GDSS have the following features and service
capabilities :
1. Supports parallel processing of information
2. Permits the group or individual members to use tools, techniques
or models of decision-making of their choice
3. Offers rapid and easy access to external information
4. Enables several users to interact simultaneously
5. Automatically records all information that passes through the
system for future analysis
 Examples of GDSS in the e-business
enterprises
• Leave application processing
• Credit rating approval
• Pricing negotiations and order processing
• Work order processing : Acknowledgement to
delivery and billing
• Group interviewing of candidate
• Contract document processing for multiple
signatories