An expert systems approach to group decision support systems pre-session planning.

Abstract

Group Decision Support System (GDSS) pre-session planning is a complex task requiring considerable expertise. GDSS pre-session planning involves the selection of group participants and GDSS tools for a subsequent computer-supported group meeting. An effective plan is required to achieve a successful meeting (success measured by the time and cost necessary to reach an outcome satisfactory to group participants). This research investigates the nature of GDSS pre-session planning and the knowledge that is applied when expert human facilitators plan for collaborative work. A model of and a prototype expert system for GDSS tool selection were developed from the documented knowledge of pres-session planning. The model and system were then revised as a result of extensive consultations with domain experts. The expert system was verified by comparing human experts' recommendations with the system's recommendations (there was no significant difference between the two sets of recommendations). The usefulness of the system was tested by comparing facilitators' and non-facilitators' (with and without the use of the expert system) recommendations with those of human experts in a 2 by 2 factorial design. Results show that facilitators and non-facilitators who use the system are better able to select the tools experts have chosen than they would have otherwise. When they are not using the system, facilitators and non-facilitators perform equally well in selecting the tools experts have judged most appropriate (both groups differ significantly from the experts' recommendations). This research contributes to knowledge of pre-session planning for GDSS sessions with a particular emphasis on the tool selection process. However, further research on the development of a complete session agenda is needed.