On-line configuration of information requirements for executive information systems

Presents a method called decision/information configuration (DIC), which has been developed to enhance the functionality of executive information systems (EISs). DIC allows users to express an ad-hoc decision question with minimal constraints and assists users in the process of articulating decision questions related to decision-making by representing business concepts in a decision space. Each dimension in a decision space encapsulates the required information. Based on this decision space, an information space can be configured, within which relevant information can be retrieved from EIS databases. The articulation and configuration process from the decision space to the information space provides a generic mechanism for a flexible EIS to accommodate unstructured and dynamic information requirements