ABSTRACT
Computers can assist decision makers in a variety of different ways. They can, for instance, support users with improved access to information, with more informative displays of this information, or with more effective forms of communication. An underlying assumption in design of human–centered systems is that the characteristics of the user population, the tasks they perform, and the context and environment in which they perform them are all inherently intertwined. Decision support systems (DSS) designers need to understand all three in order to understand what support a DSS should provide to help users to be more effective in a specific task and context. A number of complementary and overlapping approaches have been articulated to help ensure adequate consideration of user needs, preferences and capabilities during the design process, and to gain insights into possible functionality to incorporate in a DSS.
