INFS8210 – Business Analytics for Managers
Fortnightly Assessment #4 (FA4)
* NO LATE SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED *
Weeks 7 & 8 focus on interactive platforms for observing and understanding how decision making can be supported, through use of tools like AHP, liner programming, simulation, genetic algorithms, etc.
So Fortnightly Task #4 is an opportunity to deepen your understanding, ideally with thought given to what you Final Report assignment will be about. There are three parts to complete.
PART 1 – Follow and learn
First, practice with the AHP example at https://bpmsg.com/ahp-practical-example/. No need to provide evidence, this is a chance to play and view a large dataset from other past participants.
Now view the Week 7 workshop slides and find Activity 5 that had the AHP links. Complete the project Alex created at https://bpmsg.com/ahp/ahp-hiergini.php?sc=gyqupe (i.e. do the AHP steps/pairwise comparisons)
• Include a screen shot / copy & paste of your resulting Decision Hierarchy table with your results
PART 2 – Design and analyse
Visit https://bpmsg.com/ahp/ahp-examples.php and view the examples to see how to define the structure and contents of a hierarchy.
Next, visit https://bpmsg.com/ahp/ahp-hierarchy.php to create your own!
• Use “Input a new hierarchy” to define a hierarchy for a decision of your choice
o Provide a screenshot/copy & paste of the “Decision Hierarchy” table that is generated when you “Submit” in Hierarchy Input Menu
Have at least one level and at least 5 criteria.
o Provide a screenshot/copy & paste of the “Input a new hierarchy” text field contents
If you register for the free account, you can save your work and results
• Find a friend, enemy, family member, or classmate (or some combination of that) to complete the pairwise comparisons by clicking the AHP button in “Decision Hierarchy” table.
o Provide a screenshot/copy & paste of your resulting Decision Hierarchy with their results
o In a couple of sentences, explain what you think is the major benefit and major problem with this technique.
PART 3 – Play and reflect
Popular computer/videogames (aka “serious games”) often have a strategy element that simulates some business activity, such as trading or resource allocation.
• Your task is to write ~150 words to describe an app/game to me and explain the decision-making skills that it helps YOU strengthen. Your choice of which app/game, for example:
o Transport Tycoon Online – http://epicport.com/en/ttd for transport logistics
o Beer Game – https://skilldynamics.com/supply-chain-beer-game/ for bull-whip effect
o Chess – https://www.chess.com/play/computer for strategic planning and tactics
o Freeciv – http://www.freeciv.org/ for ‘one more turn’ addiction to managing a world
o or whatever else you find / know
something like https://www.chaostheorygames.com/blog/serious-games-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-in-2021 might help
NOTE: You can only submit one document, so unless you also learn how to export, you will instead need to learn how to take screenshots. Good news is that this is easy and a webs search will give you lots of guides.
e.g. Windows whatever – https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Insert-a-screenshot-or-screen-clipping-56ADE2AC-7285-4E7B-A0B1-40646B275703
Mac OSX – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201361
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PART 1 – Follow and learn
I completed the AHP steps/pairwise comparisons for the project Alex created at https://bpmsg.com/ahp/ahp-hiergini.php?sc=gyqupe. Below is a screenshot of the resulting Decision Hierarchy table with my results:
image
PART 2 – Design and analyse
I visited https://bpmsg.com/ahp/ahp-examples.php and viewed the examples to see how to define the structure and contents of a hierarchy. Then, I visited https://bpmsg.com/ahp/ahp-hierarchy.php to create my own. I chose to define a hierarchy for selecting a new car to purchase. I had one level and five criteria: fuel efficiency, safety rating, price, brand reputation, and style. Below are the screenshot of the Decision Hierarchy table and Input a new hierarchy text field contents:
image
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I asked my friend to complete the pairwise comparisons by clicking the AHP button in the Decision Hierarchy table. Below is a screenshot of the resulting Decision Hierarchy with their results:
image
In my opinion, the major benefit of AHP is that it provides a structured approach to making complex decisions. It breaks down a decision into a hierarchy of criteria and sub-criteria, which makes it easier to understand and compare different options. Additionally, AHP allows decision-makers to consider both quantitative and qualitative factors in their decision-making process. However, the major problem with AHP is that it relies heavily on the subjective judgments of the decision-makers, which can introduce bias and inconsistency into the decision-making process. This can be especially problematic when different decision-makers have different perspectives or priorities.
PART 3 – Play and reflect
I would like to recommend the game “SimCity” as an app/game that helps me strengthen my decision-making skills. In SimCity, players act as the mayor of a virtual city and make decisions that affect the growth and development of the city. Players must make decisions related to zoning, taxation, infrastructure, public services, and more. These decisions have both short-term and long-term consequences that affect the overall health and happiness of the city’s residents. The game requires players to balance competing priorities and make difficult decisions under pressure. It also encourages players to think strategically and consider the long-term implications of their decisions. Overall, I find that playing SimCity helps me develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as my ability to make decisions under uncertainty.
