DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A GOAL-PROGRAMING IMBEDDED DSS FOR MULTIPLE OBJECTIVE DECISION-MAKING

Multicriteria decision making (MCDM) includes powerful and sophisticated optimization methods to solve complex realworld decision making problems with a great deal of realism. Evolution of decision support systems (DSS) from management information systems has expanded the horizon of applicability of MCDM methods further and thus greatly enhanced their usability. However, the successful linkage between these two disciplines requires thorough understanding of potential problems in providing a communicative user interface. This research is based on the premise that a communicative user interface would improve effectiveness of the DSS for decision makers. Recognizing the need of communicative GP-based DSS, a system called Goal Programming with Friendly Formulator (GPFF) has been built as a first step toward a versatile GP-based DSS with a certain level of expert guidance. The primary objective of this research is to develop a reliable and communicative system based on the GP method so that the user can model the multiple objective problem within the framework of GP. The secondary objective is to provide a research tool to generate basic data for analyzing the users\u27 formulation patterns. To understand the basic problems involved in user interface in MCDM methods, literature in a number of interrelated disciplines was surveyed. MCDM methods are especially significant for this research because these are the basic solvers to be resident in the system. The user interface in a variety of related disciplines was also studied. A conceptual framework is then established based on the synthesis of knowledge developed and accumulated in those areas. The main system components within the GPFF system were thoroughly discussed. The subsystem LANGEN was developed to provide capabilities in defining and processing the command language subsystem for the user interface. The formulator GPFORM represents the friendly formulator, comprising the core of user interface in GPFF. Other subsystems such as the matrix generator, MATGEN, and solver, GPSOLV, were also described. The GPFF system is a complete stand-alone system and thus it can be considered a prototype to lay the foundation for more intelligent DSS