Journal of Management Information Systems

Volume 1 Number 1 1984 pp. 11-32

Eliciting Decision-Makers' Information Requirements: Application of the Rep Test Methodology

Grudnitski, Gary

ABSTRACT: Many information systems fail to achieve their promised potential because of the inability of the analyst to design a system attuned to the needs of the decision-maker. To remedy this situation, it is essential to develop new methodologies that facilitate the process of defining distinct decision parameters, understandable by the decision-maker, the analyst, and others in the organization. The primary purpose of this paper is to present and apply the Rep Test, a methodology for eliciting the information used, or desired to be used, by decision-makers. The information elicited and the salient characteristics decision-makers attach to this information are further analyzed and interpreted by examining the results of information sources scaled on information attributes.

Key words and phrases: user requirements, systems analysis methodologies, decision support, measurement of psychological space, concept-formation tests