Operation-oriented design of decision support systems

Operation-oriented design is a practical approach to develop a robust business solution that can reduce reengineering effort and improve reusability. Taking implementing forecast engine for business operation planning process as an example, we first discuss the requirement from operational perspective, including data sources, analytic capability. So that we can design and develop a smart and integrated supply chain, the computer implemented and Internet connected information system that aligns with its supported business process. In our example, we start with how to assess product demand from analyzing sale history and product lifecycle specification and correlating with external economic indicators. The proposed flexible IT system will enable collaboration between users in the product planning process, provides configurable and extensible platform and makes intelligent prediction of product demand incorporating market trend and product lifecycle information. Such an IT system provides not only business process's visibility but also analytic capability and intelligent decision support.