This free online course is a basic course on Decision Support Systems for Operations Management. It introduces how operations managers decide and how those decisions will ultimately affect their trading and their output. A decision support system (DSS) helps managers make decisions using interactive computer representations that depict real-world processes. The DSS also uses data from the in-house database and looks for particular data that correlate to the predicaments at hand. It is a mechanism for answering “what if” enigmas about what would transpire if the operations manager made some modifications. An expert system gives managers information comparable to what they would get from a human specialist. Unlike humans, DSS systems are unbiased, and advice is solely based on trends and historical data rather than emotions. Whilst some expert systems take the place of human experts; others assist them.

This course will highlight the application of the TOPSIS Method and why this is deemed suitable by exploring its basic concepts. You will learn about the importance of decision trees and the DSS available for Multi-Item production distribution. Operations management deals with the practical and cost-effective production of goods and services. This requires making complex judgments in the configuration, execution, and development of multiple production activities. Decision support systems are critical in undertaking the interdependent and complex nature of these management decisions. Managers, while using DSS, can make effective decisions. However, you must also understand that they do not have to follow the advice given, and the system cannot decide for the manager. Managers may not deem the most suitable solution derived from the system as fitting. It's rare, but it happens. When this does happen, then they may use emotions. Whilst that is not necessarily encouraged as it creates bias, at times, it is a necessity.

Finally, being an operation manager is a complex but rewarding job. Sure, you will have technology assisting you, but ultimately, you have to make the final decision that is not always in the majority’s best interest. A good operations manager has to be strong and focused on ensuring that they are doing all they can to make the business profitable. Managers will gravitate to DSS as it allows them to identify deviations and anomalies promptly. DSS empowers them to predict out­comes with the help of an efficient ad hoc query facility. In today's society, we have all interacted at some point or another with a DSS. From observation, we can tell that it facilitates faster transactions. It also processes a lot of data faster than a human could. If you are an operations manager interested in learning more about DSS, this course is for you!