science

Spatial decision support system

Spatial decision support system is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Spatial decision support system rather than just read about it. In short: A spatial decision support system (SDSS) is an interactive, computer-based system designed to assist in decision making while solving a semi-structured spatial problem. It is designed to assist the spatial planner with guidance in making land use decisions.

Key takeaways

Spatial decision support system belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Spatial decision support system to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Spatial decision support system from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A spatial decision support system (SDSS) is an interactive, computer-based system designed to assist in decision making while solving a semi-structured spatial problem. It is designed to assist the spatial planner with guidance in making land use decisions. A system which models decisions could be used to help identify the most effective decision path. An SDSS is sometimes referred to as a policy support system, and comprises a decision support system (DSS) and a geographic information system (GIS). This entails use of a database management system (DBMS), which holds and handles the geographical data; a library of potential models that can be used to forecast the possible outcomes of decisions; and an interface to aid the users interaction with the computer system and to assist in analysis of outcomes.

Process An SDSS usually exists in the form of a computer model or collection of interlinked computer models, including a land use model. Although various techniques are available to simulate land use dynamics, two types are particularly suitable for SDSS. These are cellular automata (CA) based models and Agent based models (ABM). An SDSS typically uses a variety of spatial and nonspatial information, like data on land use, transportation, water management, demographics, agriculture, climate, epidemiology, resource management or employment. By using two or more known points in history the models can be calibrated and then projections into the future can be made to analyze different spatial policy options. Using these techniques spatial planners can investigate the effects of different scenarios, and provide information to make informed decisions. To allow the user to easily adapt the system to deal with possible intervention possibilities an interface allows for simple modification to be made.

References

External links International Cartographic Association (ICA), the world body for mapping and GIScience professionals Maps module integrated into Decision Support System Spatial Decision Support Consortium professional network and knowledge portal based on a spatial decision support ontology

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Spatial decision support system

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Spatial decision support system claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Spatial decision support system before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Spatial decision support system ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Spatial decision support system

In research: Spatial decision support system appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Spatial decision support system in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Spatial decision support system is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Decision support systems, Geographic information systems, Information systems, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Spatial decision support system outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Spatial decision support system in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Spatial decision support system means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Spatial decision support system out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Spatial decision support system in simple terms?

Why does Spatial decision support system matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Spatial decision support system?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Spatial decision support system.