Decision Support Systems: Foundations and Variations

Abstract Now in their fourth decade, decision support systems have progressed to the point of being so diverse in nature and so widespread in everyday use that they are often taken for granted, not even being recognized for what they are. Yet, they have major positive impacts on both individuals and organizations. This article provides a foundation for understanding decision support systems. We examine why they exist, how they differ from other classes of software systems (e.g., management information systems), their basic architecture, and variations in their implementations and features. With this foundation, we can more fully grasp today's decision support options and be in a position to better appreciate the ever advancing frontier of decision support system research.