Outrunning a Speeding Environment: Developing 'High-Velocity' Strategic DSS Evaluation Criteria

Abstract

This research develops a theoretical "fit" framework for evaluating "High-velocity" (H-v) strategic Decision Support Systems (DSS). This theoretical framework is then used to derive 45 H-v strategic DSS requirements. Finally, it uses these 45 requirements to evaluate 16 popular commercial DSS tools for their "out of the box" ability to support high-velocity strategic decision-making. Results illustrate the usefulness of a fit-based theoretical framework in performing systems analysis. Results also illustrate the assertion that few currently-available DSS tools support H-v strategic decision requirements, and that configuration may be difficult or impossible. Based on the findings, the authors underline the importance of building native configuration features into future DSSs in order to increase the flexibility of a DSS tool to adapt to fit a rapidly changing environment.

Keywords: Decision support systems, strategic decisions, strategic use of IT, information systems evaluation