Use of Computer-Aided Decision Support Systems for Complex Source Selection Decisions.

摘要

In the critical arena of source selections, the decision-maker is often overwhelmed by the complex hierarchy of intertwining factors and multitude of conflicting tasks required to successfully purchase an effective weapons system. At this time, there is no available tool with which to assimilate contributing criteria into an organized framework to aid in the decision making process. A decision support system (DSS) acts as the framework upon which the complex elements may be organized. The purpose of this research is to test the use of a computer-aided decision support system in the source selection environment. Through a controlled experiment, the use of a DSS was tested for the following variables. 1. Effectiveness. This was defined as the number of 'correct' decisions made. 2. Consistency. This was defined as how many of the same decisions were made. 3. Speed. Did the use of the DSS speed the process. 4. Difficulty. How easy was it to make the decision. 5. Confidence. How confident was the decision -maker that his decision was correct. 6. Understanding. How well did the subject understand the process by which the decision was made. Theses.