A group decision support system (GDSS) is an interactive
computer-based system that facilitates a number of decision-makers
(working together in a group) in finding solutions to problems that
are unstructured in nature. They are designed in such a way that
they take input from multiple users interacting simultaneously with
the systems to arrive at a decision as a group.
The tools and techniques provided by the group decision support
system improve the quality and effectiveness of the group meetings.
Groupware and web-based tools for electronic meetings and
videoconferencing also support some of the group decision making
processes, but their main function is to make communication
possible between the decision-makers.
In a group decision support system (GDSS) electronic meeting,
each participant is provided with a computer. The computers are
connected to each other, to the facilitator’s computer and to the
file server. A projection screen is available at the front of the
room. The facilitator and the participants can both project digital
text and images onto this screen.
A group decision support system (GDSS) meeting comprises
different phases, such as idea generation, discussion, voting, vote
counting and so on. The facilitator manages and controls the
execution of these phases. The use of various software tools in the
meeting is also controlled by the facilitator.
Components of Group Decision Support System (GDSS)
A group decision support system (GDSS) is composed of 3
main components, namely hardware, software tools, and
people.
- Hardware: It includes electronic hardware like
the computer, equipment used for networking, electronic display
boards and audiovisual equipment. It also includes the conference
facility, including the physical set up – the room, the tables, and
the chairs – laid out in such a manner that they can support group
discussion and teamwork.
- Software Tools: It includes various tools and
techniques, such as electronic questionnaires, electronic
brainstorming tools, idea organizers, tools for setting priority,
policy formation tool, etc. The use of these software tools in a
group meeting helps the group decision-makers to plan, organize
ideas, gather information, establish priorities, take decisions and
document the meeting proceedings. As a result, meetings become more
productive.
- People: It compromises the members
participating in the meeting, a trained facilitator who helps with
the proceedings of the meeting, and an expert staff to support the
hardware and software. The GDSS components together provide a
favorable environment for carrying out group meetings.
Features of Group Decision Support System (GDSS)
- Ease of Use: It consists of an interactive
interface that makes working with GDSS simple and easy.
- Better Decision Making: It provides the
conference room setting and various software tools that facilitate
users at different locations to make decisions as a group resulting
in better decisions.
- Emphasis on Semi-structured and Unstructured
Decisions: It provides important information that assists
middle and higher-level management in making semi-structured and
unstructured decisions.
- Specific and General Support: The facilitator
controls the different phases of the group decision support system
meeting (idea generation, discussion, voting and vote counting,
etc.) what is displayed on the central screen and the type of
ranking and voting that takes place, etc. In addition, the
facilitator also provides general support to the group and helps
them to use the system.
- Supports all Phases of the Decision Making: It
can support all the four phases of decision making, viz
intelligence, design, choice, and implementation.
- Supports Positive Group Behavior: In a group
meeting, as participants can share their ideas more openly without
the fear of being criticized, they display more positive group
behavior towards the subject matter of the meeting.
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Group Decision Support System (GDSS) Software Tools
Group decision support system software tools help the
decision-makers in organizing their ideas, gathering required
information and setting and ranking priorities. Some of these tools
are as follows:
- Electronic Questionnaire: The information
generated using the questionnaires helps the organizers of the
meeting to identify the issues that need immediate attention,
thereby enabling the organizers to create a meeting plan in
advance.
- Electronic Brainstorming Tools: It allows the
participants to simultaneously contribute their ideas on the
subject matter of the meeting. As the identity of each participant
remains secret, individuals participate in the meeting without the
fear of criticism.
- Idea Organizer: It helps in bringing together,
evaluating and categorizing the ideas that are produced during the
brainstorming activity.
- Tools for Setting Priority: It includes a
collection of techniques, such as simple voting, ranking in order
and some weighted techniques that are used for voting and setting
priorities in a group meeting.
- Policy Formation Tool: It provides the
necessary support for converting the wordings of policy statements
into an agreement.
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