Root cause analysis is a powerful method schools use to analyze data to solve problems; it aims to identify and correct the root causes of problems or events, rather than simply addressing their symptoms. In this webinar, veteran practitioner, Roni Silverstein, talked about the value of this process and practical ways to use it in your school or…

When the human element is introduced into decision support system design, entirely new layers of social and ethical issues emerge but are not always recognized as such. This paper discusses those ethical and social impact issues specific to decision support systems and highlights areas that interface designers should consider during design with an…

Discussion of computerized simulation games focuses on the organization and use of data dictionaries to support more flexible development and maintenance of game administration systems and participants' decision support systems. The roles of game designers, game administrators, and game participants are discussed. (12 references) (LRW)

Outlines research showing different ways that information is used in the decision-making process at high levels in organizations. Patterns of executive information use are described, including conceptual, instrumental, tactical, symbolic, and political use; and implications for the design of information systems that support decision making are…

An interview with John F. Rockart focuses on the use of information technology in executive decision support systems, how such systems differ from conventional management information systems, and their application on college campuses. (MSE)

The key to the success of decision support systems will be the way that institutional researchers integrate the variety of specific and personal systems into a viable and coordinated institutionwide system. (Author/MLW)

Discusses the need for management information and decision support systems in libraries, and identifies inertia and confusion as the main contributors to the lack of successful implementations. An attempt to initiate a decision support system at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is described, and both problems encountered and benefits gained are…

The design, development and use of computer systems to support decision making within human service organizations and the conceptual background of decision support systems are discussed. (Author/BL)

Discussion of management decision making and the support needed to manage successfully highlights a Decision Technology System (DTS) that integrates other information systems. Topics discussed include computer information systems (CISs); knowledge gateways; the decision-making process; decision support systems (DSS); expert systems; and facility…

Computer technology is rapidly being integrated into decision support systems that far surpass the potential of other information systems. To take advantage of this potential, the administrator must be able to evaluate these systems in terms that are relevant to the organization. (Author/MLW)

Describes decision support software that teaches business students the processes and decisions necessary to develop a comprehensive, affordable, equitable package of wages and benefits. Includes sample guidelines for students and instructors. (SK)

Eight papers from the FID/II Pre-Conference Seminar (Espoo, Finland, August 24-25, 1988) discuss issues related to the use of information as a tool in the context of business information services, strategic information management, business intelligence systems, information resources management, and the role of information and documentation in…

Advocates data-driven decision making as a key to school improvement. Discusses how data can be used to improve education, what types of data should be collected, should teachers serve as researchers, how data can be used effectively, and what steps schools can take to improve their use of data. (VWC)

Reviews the literature on computer simulation modeling for library management and examines whether simulation is underutilized because the models are too complex and mathematical. Other problems with implementation are considered, including incomplete problem definition, lack of a conceptual framework, system constraints, lack of interaction…

The college presidents of Baylor University, Mount Royal College, and the University of Tennessee, Memphis, were interviewed and their views regarding computing and information technology are shared. (MLW)