Understanding the role and operation of decision support systems. Independent development of a decision support system.
Master programming in Excel and the design of user interfaces in VBA for Excel.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) USED IN THIS COURSE IS WITH RESERVATION. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS BASED ON THE COURSE SETUP PRIOR TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE CRISIS, COURSE COORDINATORS MAY BE FORCED TO CHANGE THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS USED. THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING/ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS. Decision support systems are computer-based systems for management decision makers who deal with semi-structured decision problems.
A DSS is closely related to a MIS, a management information system. Where a MIS helps decision makers utilize data and models to solve
structured problems, a DSS aims to give the same support, in case the problem is less structured (less routine). In this course, we will
focus on the separate techniques that form the building blocks of a DSS: databases, spreadsheet models, recommendation model, and the user
interface. Developing a business model as a decision aid for a self-designed choice problem is the major assignment of the course.
We will use Excel and VBA as a tool to program our own DSS. Writing a management report describing the DSS and its possible implementation
is the second practical assignment. Together, those two assignments compose the project done by small project groups of 2 students.

The course is built around a reader that will be distributed before the course. Secondary literature references about decision support systems in general
will be provided in the reader.

Basic mastery of Excel, or an alternative spreadsheet application: cell referencing, building formulas, use of logical functions.
This does not include mastery of VBA for Excel: training in VBA programming is part of the course.

An advanced level of English.