How can you make decision support systems more user-friendly?

1 Design for users

The first step to make DSS more user-friendly is to design them with the users in mind. This means understanding who the users are, what their goals are, what their skills are, and what their preferences are. You can use methods such as user research, personas, scenarios, and user stories to create a user-centered design. Then, you can apply some best practices for user interface design, such as simplicity, consistency, clarity, functionality, and aesthetics. You can also use design patterns, guidelines, and standards to ensure usability and accessibility.

2 Provide feedback

The second step to make DSS more user-friendly is to provide feedback to the users. Feedback is the information that the system gives to the users about their actions, inputs, outputs, and results. Feedback can help users understand what the system is doing, what the system expects from them, what the system has done, and what the system can do. You can use different types of feedback, such as visual, auditory, tactile, or verbal, depending on the context and the user. You can also use different modes of feedback, such as immediate, delayed, positive, negative, or neutral, depending on the situation and the goal.

3 Train users

The third step to make DSS more user-friendly is to train the users. Training is the process of teaching the users how to use the system effectively and efficiently. Training can help users acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to use the system confidently and competently. You can use different methods of training, such as tutorials, manuals, videos, demos, or workshops, depending on the complexity and the functionality of the system. You can also use different strategies of training, such as active learning, practice, feedback, or reinforcement, depending on the learning outcomes and the motivation of the users.

4 Adapt to users

The fourth step to make DSS more user-friendly is to adapt to the users. Adaptation is the process of changing the system according to the users' needs, preferences, behaviors, or contexts. Adaptation can help users personalize the system, optimize the system performance, and enhance the user experience. You can use different techniques of adaptation, such as customization, personalization, recommendation, or adaptation, depending on the level and the scope of the change. You can also use different mechanisms of adaptation, such as user control, system control, or mixed control, depending on the degree and the direction of the change.

5 Support collaboration

The fifth step to make DSS more user-friendly is to support collaboration. Collaboration is the process of working together with other users or stakeholders to achieve a common goal or task. Collaboration can help users share information, coordinate actions, communicate ideas, and resolve conflicts. You can use different features of collaboration, such as communication, coordination, cooperation, or co-creation, depending on the nature and the purpose of the collaboration. You can also use different tools of collaboration, such as chat, email, video, or wiki, depending on the mode and the medium of the collaboration.

6 Evaluate usability

The sixth step to make DSS more user-friendly is to evaluate usability. Usability is the extent to which the system is easy to use, learn, remember, and satisfy the users. Usability can help users achieve their goals, reduce their errors, increase their efficiency, and improve their satisfaction. You can use different methods of usability evaluation, such as testing, inspection, inquiry, or analytics, depending on the data and the feedback that you want to collect. You can also use different criteria of usability evaluation, such as effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, memorability, or satisfaction, depending on the aspects and the indicators that you want to measure.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?