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K510 Midterm Question Pool
1. List and define the three phases of the decision-making process (according to
Simon.)
2. Discuss the major trends that affect managerial decision-making.
3. Why is the role of KM so important for decision support? Discuss an example of
how the two can be integrated.
4. Why is electronic commerce related to ERP and decision support?
5. Define the phases of intelligence, design, choice, and implementation.
6. Define programmed (structured) versus nonprogrammed (unstructured) problems.
Give one example in each of the following areas: accounting, marketing, and
human resources.
7. Distinguish between decision making under certainty, under risk, and under
uncertainty.
8. Define heuristics. Why do decision makers use heuristics?
9. Define what-if analysis and goal-seeking analysis and provide examples.
10. What is personality type? Why is it an important factor to consider in decisionmaking?
11. Compare and contrast decision making by an individual with decision making by
a group.
12. Models are classified as strategic, tactical, or operational. What is the purpose of
such a classification? Give an example of each.
13. Compare the features and structure of the MBMS to those of the DBMS.
14. Compare a custom-made DSS with a ready-made DSS. List the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
15. Review the major characteristics and capabilities of DSS. Relate each of them to
the major components of DSS.
16. Compare an individual DSS to a group DSS.
17. Define data, information, and knowledge. Identify two examples of each.
18. Define a data warehouse and list some of its characteristics.
19. Define data multidimensionality and multidimensional database.
20. Define data mining and list its major technologies.
21. Describe the role that a data warehouse can play in MSS. List its benefits.
22. Describe a GIS and its major capabilities.
23. Explain the relationship between OLAP and data mining.
24. It is said that a relational database is the best for DSS (as compared to hierarchical
and network structures). Explain why.
25. It is said that object-oriented DBMS are the best solutions to a complex
(especially distributed) DSS. Explain.
26. What is a data warehouse and what are its benefits? Why is Web accessibility
important?
27. Why is the combination of GIS and GPS becoming so popular? Examine some
applications.
28. Define multidimensional spreadsheets and explain why OLAP systems have
them embedded within.
29. Explain why the development of a generic model base management system is so
difficult.
30. Explain the differences between static and dynamic models. How can one evolve
into the other?
31. List some of the major advantages of simulation over optimization.
32. Compare the methodology of simulation to Simon’s four-phase model of
decision-making. Does the methodology of simulation map directly into Simon’s
model? Explain.
33. Compare an OLAP system with multidimensional data and analysis views to a
standard spreadsheet? What are the major advantages of the former? Are there
any advantages?
34. Define prototyping. Describe how the phases of prototyping relate to those of the
traditional SDLC. List the reasons why prototyping is the method of choice for
developing most DSS.
35. List the three technology levels of DSS. Define DSS integrated tools (generators)
and discuss their objectives.
36. Define end user and end-user computing. List the major advantages of end userdeveloped DSS. List the potential quality risk areas in end user-developed DSS.
37. How does the user develop a better understanding of the decision-making
problem through the iterative process?
38. What are the disadvantages of not having complete specifications for a DSS but
instead letting it evolve from a small prototype?
39. Give two examples each of specific DSS, DSS generators, and DSS primary tools
not mentioned in this text.
40. List the reasons why meetings can be ineffective and inefficient. Also, list
potential ways to solve problems.
41. List the benefits and disadvantages of Web-based groupware.
42. Explain why it is useful to describe groupwork in terms of the time/place
framework.
43. Explain how collaborative computing can be combined with videoconferencing
for effective meeting support.
44. Explain how some of the features of GSS have become embedded in
computerized productivity tools.