Some of the major problems facing higher education over the next decade and how microcomputer-based decision support systems can be used to address these as well as everyday administrative problems are discussed. Examples using electronic spreadsheets and database management systems are provided. (Author/MLW)

Some of the major problems facing higher education over the next decade and how microcomputer-based decision support systems can be used to address these as well as everyday administrative problems are discussed. Examples using electronic spreadsheets and database management systems are provided. (Author/MLW)

The decision support system (DSS) environment, the functional requirements of a DSS, and the architectural requirements of the computer systems and communications network necessary to support a DSS are discussed. Changes in the computing environment that are necessary to implement decision support systems are suggested. (Author/MLW)

Software design is still a craft; techniques are based on the way things have been done, not on basic theorems or design principles. Suggests that academic software design needs to be more like a science or technology and that a taxonomy of design solutions or classification method is required. Describes two case studies. (MLW)