Integrating Management Planning Levels with Decision Support Systems

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss current challenges to the development of Decision Support Systems (DSS) that may increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of industrial forests management scheduling. We highlight the need for automation of industrial forest strategic, tactical and operational management planning processes within DSS – computerized tools with a graphical user interface that include a data management module, a growth and yield projection module and a scheduling module – to provide guidance and support to the definition of the timing and the location of industrial forest management options at various temporal scales. The emphasis is further on architecture approaches that may promote the effective use of models and methods available to support and integrate strategic, tactical and operational industrial forests management scheduling as well as supply chain management. DSS architecture and design approaches characterized by a strong involvement of stakeholders are more prone to success. DSS applications are briefly described in 3 Management Planning in Action boxes.KeywordsDecision support systemsManagement schedulingArchitecture