446
R. Canessa and C. P. Keller
Background Used as a background tool by decision-makers and/or technical staff, the
results of which are brought to the decision-making table.
As an Interactive system, each decision-maker has access to a terminal for
display and input which is networked to a central processing unit. One could argue
whether the Background system is a true GDSS since the decision makers themselves
do not interact or even see the system, but rather see the results brought to the table.
Respondents were asked to choose the scenario they would prefer to be
involved in as decision-makers noting advantages and suggestions for the option
chosen. The preferred option of Phase II respondents was Background in which there
is least involvement by decision-makers with the Coastal SDSS (Fig. 3). This format
was preferred because information would be provided without clutter and seduction of
GIS at the table. It would place GIS as a support tool and not as a decision-making
system and was seen to be a more time efficient and effective use of the technology
than the other two options given the prospective technical expertise of decision makers.
However, a drawback of this approach is that “technical committees can only be
populated by those participants for whom the technology is accessible, such as
industry, thereby putting other groups at a disadvantage” (respondent’s quote).
Twenty-seven percent of respondents preferred a Chauffeured-style
implementation. They felt that with the availability of a system operator it would be
more efficient than the Interactive format and the technical staff would be on hand for
explanation of constraints and limitations. It would also encourage collaboration
between decision-makers and technicians, and provide decision-makers with a better
understanding of the data than would either of the other two options. There would be
less tendency of seduction, the output would be readily available for decision-makers
and it would encourage involvement for group participation. According to the
R. Canessa and C. P. Keller
Background Used as a background tool by decision-makers and/or technical staff, the
results of which are brought to the decision-making table.
As an Interactive system, each decision-maker has access to a terminal for
display and input which is networked to a central processing unit. One could argue
whether the Background system is a true GDSS since the decision makers themselves
do not interact or even see the system, but rather see the results brought to the table.
Respondents were asked to choose the scenario they would prefer to be
involved in as decision-makers noting advantages and suggestions for the option
chosen. The preferred option of Phase II respondents was Background in which there
is least involvement by decision-makers with the Coastal SDSS (Fig. 3). This format
was preferred because information would be provided without clutter and seduction of
GIS at the table. It would place GIS as a support tool and not as a decision-making
system and was seen to be a more time efficient and effective use of the technology
than the other two options given the prospective technical expertise of decision makers.
However, a drawback of this approach is that “technical committees can only be
populated by those participants for whom the technology is accessible, such as
industry, thereby putting other groups at a disadvantage” (respondent’s quote).
Twenty-seven percent of respondents preferred a Chauffeured-style
implementation. They felt that with the availability of a system operator it would be
more efficient than the Interactive format and the technical staff would be on hand for
explanation of constraints and limitations. It would also encourage collaboration
between decision-makers and technicians, and provide decision-makers with a better
understanding of the data than would either of the other two options. There would be
less tendency of seduction, the output would be readily available for decision-makers
and it would encourage involvement for group participation. According to the