Journal of Management Information Systems

Volume 4 Number 3 1987 pp. 64-81

Problem Management: Neglected Elements in Decision Support Systems

Weber, E Sue and Konsynski, Benn R

ABSTRACT: The majority of current decision support systems (DSS) have concentrated on managing solutions rather than on managing the full range of problem-solving events. As a result, certain critical functions have been neglected. The authors define problem management in terms of problem finding, problem representation, information surveillance, solution generation, and evaluation. They propose a set of functional requirements for DSS that actively aids decision makers in each of these processes. Elements of a DSS architecture are presented to demonstrate the potential for support of these activities.

Key words and phrases: problem management, decision support systems, problem representation