What is a Decision Support System (DSS)?

by Team Userlane

1 year ago ・ 8 mins

When was the last time you were forced to make a difficult decision? 

Last month? Last week? Today?

As a leader, making accurate calls will be a huge part of your daily responsibility. 

Whether you have to decide if a budget should be approved or a new employee hired, it’s not easy to do your job while supporting the weight of these burdens.

After all, mistakes can be costly and will reflect badly on you.

Even when you’re confident that you know the ins and outs of your organization, you truly need all the help you can get. Recently, organizations across the world have been arriving at the same conclusion.

That’s why Decision Support Systems (and the use of data) have been growing in popularity… taking the SaaS world by storm.

The Definition of a Decision Support System (DSS)

A Decision Support System is an intelligent computer program that collects and processes vast amounts of organizational data from multiple different sources. 

Depending on the provider, they often use machine learning and predictive analytics to compare the options available to a business and offer actionable insights that employees can use to their advantage. 

What is the Business Value of a Decision Support System?

One wrong decision can devastate a business.

It can lead to a waste of time, the rise of debt, or the loss of a client. Either way, the outcome isn’t ideal and can put you in a tricky position. 

Why, then, do businesses insist on continuing to take risks when there are alternatives available?

Decision Support Systems have been specifically designed to equip leaders like you with the knowledge required to eradicate wastage. 

From there, you can also benefit from an impressive array of competitive advantages including (but not limited to):

• market agility and flexibility
• improved employee performance
• accurate decision-making
• an ability to become data-driven
• accelerated digital transformation

With these, you’ll soon find yourself running a more efficient and profitable business. Doesn’t that sound like a perfect world?

The 5 Types of Decision Support Systems?

How do you like to digest information? Through numbers and spreadsheets? Words and PDFs? 

Whatever is easiest for you (and your organization), there’s a Decision Support System that can accommodate that. 

They each utilize the different resources your company has access to (such as third-party data) and can produce a variety of different results – so consider your options carefully.

What is a Document-Driven DSS?

This system trawls all the different documents and textual information that are stored on digital devices. It can search websites and PDFs to identify user intent.

What is a Knowledge-Driven DSS?

This option, however, is a little different. It works by analyzing and presenting confusing data in a digestible way, offering suggestions to users to support them in decision-making.

What is a Model-Driven DSS?

These apply tried and tested processes (models) to real-life situations, balancing options against each other to make the best suggestion for your organization.

What is a Communication-Driven DSS?

The main priority of this system is to support collaboration between teams, giving them a platform to communicate with each other, review data, and make a choice that suits everyone.

What is an Intelligent DSS?

If you don’t have systems in place to gather data, this option has an AI that is programmed to go mining and find you the information you need, before identifying patterns and analyzing solutions.

How to Choose the Best Decision Support System for You

When there are so many options on the market, it can be a little confusing to decide which one would work for your organization. 

After all, in today’s digital environments, you likely have a collection of data sources and documents – all of which could provide vital insights for your future plans. 

But, looking through all this vast information would be an extensive and time-consuming task process, so you need a Decision Support System that can do the job for you. 

Some of the top-rated software providers in the market include:

1. Minitab
2. Yonyx
3. Loomio
4. Qlik Sense

Some of these platforms can be adjusted to your unique needs, making them extra useful to your workforce. Regardless of your choice, be sure to consider the reviews left by past users and take your time considering your options.

Ask yourself:

• What are my business priorities?
• What are my business goals?
• What decisions do I need support with?
• What decisions does my team need support with?
• Which employees could benefit from data?
• Which Decision Support System is the best fit?

What are Decision Support Systems? – FAQs

Are you starting to understand Decision Support Systems and recognise them as an asset?

Are you struggling to decide whether they could be a worthy investment for your business? 

Nobody looking to eradicate wastage wants to spend more money to do so but, with the insights provided by these tools, it’ll be the last risk you ever have to take.

• Why is decision support important?

It’s stressful to have the responsibility of making a decision rest entirely on your shoulders. With Decision Support Systems, that no longer has to be the case. By becoming a data-driven organization and using predictive analytics, your employees can make informed choices that have a high chance of success.

• What are the benefits of a Decision Support System?

For the most part, the biggest advantage of DSS is the chance to mitigate risk when you are planning the future of your organization. For example, when deciding whether or not it’s time to launch an advertisement or execute a marketing campaign, you’ll be able to track consumer behavior and make a decision accordingly.

• What are the main components of a Decision Support System?

Typically, all software providers will offer you statistical and forecasting analysis, data collection and processing, and optimization models. Each of these will guide you to run a more efficient organization where employees can cleverly select the best approach for the job.

Train Employees on Decision Support Systems through Userlane

As we’ve mentioned briefly, Decision Support Systems (DSS) aren’t only useful for leaders. 

They can provide valuable information for every employee in your organization. As such, training everyone on the new software you use should be a priority. 

Thankfully, there’s an easy way to ensure proficiency in your organization.

Userlane’s DAPs allow you to:

• automate software onboarding
• accelerate digital adoption
• provide real-time support
• guide your team members as they learn

We’ve spent years building a strong reputation through our dedication to detail, adjusting our service to your needs.

Contact us now with your questions or request a demonstration today. We can’t wait to hear from you.