The effects of a knowledge-based system on organizational information input overload

Abstract

Successful decisions largely depend on correct interpretation of data. Today, our ability to collect and present data outstrips our ability to interpret it. This situation has been called "information input overload" (Miller 1960). Information input overload was first investigated by Miller as the logical opposite of information input deprivation and is now accepted as an everyday occurrence. Information input overload is known to have a deleterious effect on decision makers (Sheridan and Ferrell 1974). These effects include: ignoring further input, delay in making a decision, filtering the data, and giving up (Miller 1960). A knowledge-based system was developed that is not affected by information input overload. The system makes full use of data, knowledge, and other information, extracts the critical decision factors and follows a decision tree to find related pieces of information. The system puts these factors into a form that minimizes the volume of data while presenting a complete picture of the situation to the decision maker. The system was tested against project management and performed equally well in identifying core problem areas. The system performed significantly better than did project management in assigning treatments to these core areas, thus minimizing risk, optimizing use of resources, and enforcing the prescribed protocol. The knowledge-based system also satisfactorily identified areas indirectly affected and performed significantly better than project management in assigning treatments to those areas. In addition, the system provided superior documentation of reasoning and actions to be taken. It also provided a platform for using existing simulation models to aid in strategic decision making, and for a geographic information system to aid tactical performance of recommendations. The system used object-oriented design, expert system techniques, a link to simulation models, and database management in an integrated system to optimize, improve, and ease the decision making process, whether under the effects of information input overload or not.