IS 533 HOMEWORK 4
BY AHMET CAN AYKUT (1835917)
1. What is meant by a symptom versus a problem? Relate these ideas to the case. (5 points)
In the Intelligence Phase of the Decision Making Process, the decision maker, Elena, attempts to determine whether a problem exists, identify its symptoms, determine its magnitude and explicitly define it. What is described as a problem may only be a symptom, or measure, of a problem. In the case, MMS sales are off by 10 percent, which is the main problem.
In the intelligence phase, the CEO calls the Board of Directors to search through the procedures in order to state and classify the problem. She consults Directors to reach the main reason for the problem or to find the real problem which the off-sales …show more content…

Also sub optimization and satisficing are potential threats for decision making.
6. The implementation phase seemed to involve elements of all the phases. Is this a problem?
(10 points)
It is not a problem because in case of failure all the remaining 3 phases should be revised until the solution is succeeded. Indeed it is hard to implement a solution successfully at the first trial.
Making a decision, carrying out a project requires a plan-do-check cycle to get the best.
It is a problem because the intricate structure of phases may lengthen the implementation phase and cause missing the business opportunities and not adapting the business environment.

7. How were new problems or opportunities handled as they arose? (10 points)
New problems (Data inaccuracy, Inventory Imbalance, Advertising Imbalance) and new opportunities (Discounting substitutes Florida Theme Park Demand and “Try Before You Buy”
Campaign) were handled by identification, problem ownership and implementation.
8. Why do you suppose some alternatives were either modified or postponed? (10 points)
First of all, alternatives should be prioritized to decide what to first and which one is more/less important than the others; there is a sequential relation between the alternatives whether the 3rd alternative cannot be achieved before completing the 2nd. In the Decision Making Process