the analysis of decision situations in which certainty cannot be assumed
decision support system (DSS)
a computer-based information system that a manager can use to assist in and support decision making
decision tree
a graphical diagram for analyzing a decision situation
decision variable
a variable whose value represents a potential decision on the part of the manager
degeneracy
a tie for the pivot row is broken arbitrarily and can lead to degeneracy
Delphi method
a procedure for acquiring informal judgments and opinions from knowledgeable individuals to use as a subjective forecast
dependent demand
typically component parts used internally to produce a final product
dependent events
events for which the probability of one event is affected by the probability of occurrence of other events
derivative
in calculus, a transformed form of a mathematical function that defines the slope of the function
deterministic
characterized by the assumption that there is no uncertainty
deviational variables
in a goal programming model constraint, variables that reflect the possible deviation from a goal level
differential
the derivative of a function
directed branch
a branch in a network in which flow is possible in only one direction
discrete distribution
a probability distribution that consists of values for the random variable that are countable and usually integer
dual
an alternative form of a linear programming model that contains useful information regarding the value of resources, which form the constraints of the model
dummy activity
a branch in a CPM/PERT network that reflects a precedence relationship but does not represent any passage of time
