Model-driven decision support systems: Concepts and research directions Daniel J. Power a, * , Ramesh Sharda b a University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA b Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA Available online 20 July 2005 Abstract In some decision situations, quantitative models embedded in a Decision Support System (DSS) can help managers make better decisions. Model-driven DSS use algebraic, decision analytic, financial, simulation, and optimization models to provide decision support. This category of DSS is continuing to evolve, but research can resolve a variety of behavioral and technical issues that impact system performance, acceptance and adoption. This article includes a brief survey of prior research. It focuses on model-driven DSS built using decision analysis, optimization, and simulation technologies; implementation using spread- sheet and web technologies; issues associated with the user interface; and behavioral and technical research questions. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Quantitative models; Decision support systems; DSS concepts; Research questions 1. Introduction Given the growing complexity and uncertainty in many decision situations, helping managers use quanti- tative models to support their decision-making and plan- ning is an important research topic. For more than 50 years economists, psychologists, operations research- ers and management scientists have investigated this topic from their various perspectives, but researchers have only just begun to understand the behavioral and technical challenges of designing, developing and implementing effective model-driven Decision Support Systems (DSS). By definition one or more quantitative models are the dominant components that provide the primary functionality of a model-driven decision support sys- tem [65]. Also, by definition a model-driven DSS is designed so a user can manipulate model parameters to examine the sensitivity of outputs or to conduct a more ad hoc bwhat if?Q analysis. Two characteristics differentiate a model-driven DSS from the computer support used for a decision analytic or operations research special decision study: (1) a model in a model-driven DSS is made accessible to a non-tech- nical specialist such as a manager through an easy to 0167-9236/$ - see front matter D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.dss.2005.05.030 * Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: power@dssresources.com (D.J. Power), sharda@okstate.edu (R. Sharda). Decision Support Systems 43 (2007) 1044 – 1061 www.elsevier.com/locate/dss