BUILDING DSS / ESS IN AN ORGANISATION
To build a DSS or EIS in an organization, it is important to
understand the organisational environment in which it has to be functional. The
environment here can be explained as the available hardware, operating system
on the computers, approach to link or network computers, users, their work and
workload, the links between the departments and information or data flow,
hierarchies among the different levels of human resources, their interactivity
level, etc. This total setup is covered under Information System
Architecture.
The architecture of an information system refers to the way its
pieces are laid out, types of tasks assigned to each piece, interaction among
pieces and interaction of pieces with outside system. Martin (1991) defines
information system architecture as “A written expression of the desired
future for information use and management in an organization, that creates the
context within which people can make consistent decisions”.
Let us look at the flow diagram (Figure-1) of course
development process adopted by Indira Gandhi National Open University for
generating a course as an example of information system architecture.
