Overview

In this project, you will develop a prototype for a Decision Support System $($DSS$)$ that helps administrators make informed decisions by priori$>$zing entities based on weighted criteria. This system will be applicable to a speci$$c problem domain, such as resource allocation in schools, hospitals, or retail stock management.

Objective

The aim is to design and implement a DSS prototype that processes data to rank items or choices according to their importance or urgency, aiding decision$-$makers in focusing on priority areas.

Project Scenario: E$$cient Allocation of Educational Resources

Problem Context: A school district needs to distribute educational resources such as funding, sta$,$ and materials among its schools to maximize educational outcomes.

Your Task: Develop a DSS that prioritizes schools based on various criteria like current performance levels, resource de$$cits$,$ and student demographics to suggest an optimal allocation strategy.

Project Phases$/$Deliverables

$$ Problem Selection: Choose a speci$$c domain and problem for your DSS application.

$$ Data Collection and Handling: Gather data relevant to the problem, which could be real or simulated.

$$ Development of Decision Logic: Create a scoring system that weights di$$erent factors according to their importance in decision$-$making.

$$ Prototype Development: Implement the decision logic in a simple software tool using Python or another accessible programming environment.

$$ Testing and Re$$nement: Test the prototype to ensure it operates as intended and re$$ne based on feedback or observed issues.

$$ Presentation and Evaluation: Present the DSS to peers and instructor, demonstrating its functionality and explaining the decision$-$making process.

Tools:

You may use any of the free tools available for decision support system $($DSS$)$ applications. Here are some commonly used ones:

$-$ Microsoft Excel

$-$ Google Sheets

$-$ Python with Libraries

Submission Requirements

All deliverables$/$outcomes associated with the project phases should be compiled into a $$nal submission package, which includes:

$1.$ Report in a Word $/$ PDF format including the code$/$formulas and screen shots of the output

$2.$ Presentation using PowerPoint, Keynote, or Other Presentation Software.

$1.$ Project Report $(50\%=25$ marks$)$

Create and submit a well$-$structured MS Word Report that includes screenshots of all code. The report must include the following sections:

$$ A project description that includes the problem statement and the expected impact of the DSS$.$

$$ A dataset and an overview on how this data will be used in the DSS$.$

$$ Documentation of the decision logic, including formulas and weighting factors.

$$ A working DSS prototype that can calculate and display a prioritized list of choices.

$$ A $$nal version of the prototype and a testing report.

$$ A presentation that includes a live demo of the DSS$.$

B$.$ Presentation$/$Oral Defense $(50\%=25$ marks$)$

$$ Individual Presentation $(15$ Marks$)$

$$ Present your project$$s key $$ndings and recommendations with a well$-$ structured presentation with good visualization to a live panel while explaining the process employed to perform your data analytics.

$$ Individual Follow$-$up Questions $(10$ Marks$)$

$$ You will need to demonstrate your knowledge of the topics by responding with correct answers to at least $3$ questions asked.

Evaluation Criteria

$$ Relevance and clarity of the problem statement and solution approach.

$$ E$$ectiveness of the data handling and decision logic in addressing the problem.

$$ Usability and functionality of the prototype.

$$ Quality of presentation and ability to justify design choices.

Poor $($D$)$

Poorly defines the problem with minimal or irrelevant details.