UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF BUSINESS IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BBIT 209 DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DISTANCE LEARNING
DATE: AUGUST, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE
a) Define a decision support systems (2 Marks)
b) List SIX characteristics of decision support systems (6 Marks)
c) Define a model as used in DSS (2 Marks)
d) Why is prototyping a desired method for the development of DSS (4 Marks)
e) Discuss Two limitations of expert systems (2 Marks)
f) Explain the Herbert Simon’s decision making processes (8 Marks)
g) Name the THREE components of a decision support systems and explain the functions
of each (6 Marks)
QUESTION TWO
a) Describe the DSS framework by Power. Describe some key issues from this framework.
(4 Marks)
b) Distinguish between Expert systems and DSS (4 Marks)
c) Distinguish between structured, semi-structured and unstructured decisions (6 Marks)
d) Compare and contrast MIS and DSS (6 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) Explain the goal seeking and what is scenarios as used in DSS (4 Marks)
b) State FOUR characteristics of Executive support systems (4 Marks)
c) Demonstrate how a DSS can assist a manager in arriving as a decision (6 Marks)
d) Compare and contrast TPS and DSS (6 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Explain the following approaches (6 Marks)
(i) Heuristics
(ii) Satistificing
(iii) optimization
b) Compare and contrast Executive support systems and DSS (6 Marks)
c) List EIGHT different types of DSS (8 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE
a) Why is Ms Excel identified as a decisions support tool (2 Marks)
b) State FOUR capabilities of Executive support systems (4 Marks)
c) Define a GDSS (2 Marks)
d) List FOUR characteristics of GDSS (4 Marks)
e) What are the FOUR advantages and FOUR disadvantages of GDSS (8 Marks)
