A decision support system or DSS is a computer based system intended for use by a particular manager or usually a group of managers at any organizational level in making a decision in the process of solving a semi structured decision.

Simply, decision support systems (DSS) are tools that support decision makers (Clark, Jones, & Armstrong, 2007). Conceptually, a DSS allows data to effectively contribute to decision making

A recent trend in DSS is the use of "Dashboards" These dashboard displays give managers a quick view of key indicators that help the manger gauge the organizational status.

A more formal method is that of a balanced scorecard:

The balanced scorecard retains traditional financial measures. But financial measures tell the story of past events, an adequate story for industrial age companies for which investments in long-term capabilities and customer relationships were not critical for success. These financial measures are inadequate, however, for guiding and evaluating the journey that information age companies must make to create future value through investment in customers, suppliers, employees, processes, technology, and innovation.

However, it is important to remember that all these methods are only effective when the valid indicators are selected and when the user understand the implications of emerging trends.

The design must not start with an emphasis on metrics, emphasize and understand the underlying strategy

Does your organization use DSS? How does DSS support your organization?