Evaluating Decision Support and Expert Systems

Decision Support Systems Engineering Andrew P. Sage This practical guide describes the everyday nuts-and-bolts to building a decision support system that unites the concerns of both system designers and users. Beginning with an outline of the generic components of a decision support system, readers are given a technologically rigorous, yet clear, tour of its assembly line basics. Data-base management systems, model-base management systems, and dialog generation and management systems are clearly described, with emphasis on how these make a decision support system feasible and practical. 1991 (0 471-53000-X) 360 pp. Software Systems Engineering Andrew P. Sage and James D. Palmer This unique text provides a thorough introduction to all aspects of the developmental life cycle of software production. For those interested in applying a systems-based approach to software development, Software Systems Engineering discusses key aspects of such an approach--from software quality, software reliability, and development environments, to integration, maintenance, management, and cost analysis. The book's practical look features a set of tools instrumental to success in each life cycle phase, as well as a taxonomy of methods for making the productivity tools available and subject to wider use. 1990 (0 471-61758-X) 544 pp. Design for Success A Human-Centered Approach to Designing Successful Products and Systems William B. Rouse Drawn from methods tested in a wide array of industries--aviation, the process and power industries, manufacturing, the marine industry, and communications--this important text details how to design products and systems that are market-driven and user-oriented. Using a variety of methods and tools illustrated with case studies, Design for Success outlines a concrete, human-centered approach to the design of complex systems. This new approach to system design includes a look at understanding users' needs, design and engineering evaluation of product and systems, and more. 1991 (0 471-52483-2) 304 pp.