Integration of software tools in developing a multiple criteria support system on a personal computer

Abstract

Multiple Criteria Decision Support Systems are a special cross betueen optimization systems and Decision Support Systems (DSS). Optimization systems produce a single, ‘best’ solution to a given problem while Decision Support Systems offer alternative scenarios for consideration of a decision maker. However, Multiple Criteria Decision Support Systems (MCDSS) combine the features of both: the problems are solved by optimization techniques, but due to their multiple criteria nature, they generate a set of solutions, rather than a single, optimal solution; and they provide the flexibility of a Decision Support System CDSS) by offering alternative solutions within the solution set for the decision maker’s consideration. In HCDSS, the definition of optimal becomes a decision that maximizes a decision maker’s utility for satisfaction (tionts, 1987). Multiple criteria decision support systems CMCDSS) require the same types of software support as do traditional decision support systems: a method of managing problem data; a method of solving the problem; a method of interacting with the decision maker; and a method of displaying results. But, in addition, HCDSSs require one or more optimization techniques for solving the particular problem, plus multiple criteria models for generating a candidate solution or a set of candidate solutions. In some systems, the user specifies the optimization techniques to use for solving the problem, uhile in others, the models and solution techniques may be prespecified. In this paper a general HCDSS design architecture is proposed which describes the main modules of a MCDSS and their inter-relationship. A prototype model uhich was on a microcomputer using the architecture is described. The WCDSS, called Compromise Programing Decision Support System CCPDSS), was written in FORTRAN interfaced with R:Base 5000 relational data base system, R:Base PI program interface subroutine package, and IBM Graphics Development Toolkit subroutine package.