UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2016/2017
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BBIT 209 DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DISTANCE LEARNING
DATE: DECEMBER, 2016 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
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 [20 MARKS]
a) Distinguish between structured, semi-structured and unstructured decisions (6 Marks)
b) Compare and contrast MIS and DSS. (6 Marks)
c) Describe the DSS framework by Power. Describe some key issues from this framework.
(4 Marks)
d) Distinguish between Expert systems and DSS. (4 Marks)
QUESTION THREE [20 MARKS]
a) Demonstrate how a DSS can assist a manager in arriving as a decision. (6 Marks)
b) Compare and contrast TPS and DSS. (6 Marks)
c) Explain the goal seeking and what is scenarios as used in DSS. (4 Marks)
d) State FOUR characteristics of Executive support systems. (4 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR [20 MARKS]
a) Compare and contrast Executive support systems and DSS. (6 Marks)
b) List EIGHT different types of DSS. (8 Marks)
c) Explain the following approaches: (6 Marks)
(i) Heuristics
(ii) Satistificing
(iii) optimization
QUESTION FIVE [20 MARKS]
a) Define a GDSS. (2 Marks)
b) List FOUR characteristics of GDSS. (4 Marks)
c) What are the FOUR advantages and FOUR disadvantages of GDSS. (8 Marks)
d) Why is Ms Excel identified as a decisions support tool. (2 Marks)
e) State FOUR capabilities of Executive support systems. (4 Marks)
