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From Magnum Opus to Mea Culpa: A Cautionary Tale of Lessons Learned from a Failed Decision Support System

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  • Michael F. Gorman

    (University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio 45469)

Abstract

In this article, I present a case study of a failed decision support system (DSS) and describe the creation and collapse of a decision support project conducted with a client over a number of years. I provide insights and advice on organization, systems, data, and ongoing management and software support, as gleaned from mistakes made during the course of the project. The insights should prove useful for researchers, developers, and students of OR/MS-based decision support systems and the organizations that implement them.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael F. Gorman, 2016. "From Magnum Opus to Mea Culpa: A Cautionary Tale of Lessons Learned from a Failed Decision Support System," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 46(2), pages 183-195, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:46:y:2016:i:2:p:183-195
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.2015.0818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hugo P. Simão & Abraham George & Warren B. Powell & Ted Gifford & John Nienow & Jeff Day, 2010. "Approximate Dynamic Programming Captures Fleet Operations for Schneider National," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 40(5), pages 342-352, October.
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    4. Kalyan S. Pasupathy & Alexandra Medina-Borja, 2008. "Integrating Excel, Access, and Visual Basic to Deploy Performance Measurement and Evaluation at the American Red Cross," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 38(4), pages 324-337, August.
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    7. Michael F. Gorman & Dharma Acharya & David Sellers, 2010. "CSX Railway Uses OR to Cash In on Optimized Equipment Distribution," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 40(1), pages 5-16, February.
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