Group decision support system: development and application

A computerized group decision support system has been developed to collect and reduce data representing group members´ individual evaluations of options available for action. The system uses barcode voting sheets or individual keypads for data input, and it outputs its results to a standard spreadsheet program, for creation of histograms, or to a word processing program, for real-time report writing. Extensive use of the system has shown that it saves time and money, and that the quality of decisions reached by the group is much improved. The system also fosters total participation and, ultimately, `buy-in´ to the programs which result from the decision-making process