Decision support and control for large-scale complex systems

The technical and social systems of the present day are ever more large, complex and complicated objects. Their models are characterized by numerous state and control variables, time delays, and different time constants. Also they show constraints in their information infrastructure and risk sensitivity aspects. Such systems are called large-scale complex systems (LSS). Hierarchical approach which has been for several decades one of the most utilized methodologies for controlling large-scale systems has evolved in recent years toward more collaborative schemes. When human intervention is necessary, decision support systems (DSS) can represent a solution. A DSS is an adaptive and evolving information system meant to implement several of the functions of a human support team that would otherwise be needed to help the decision-maker to overcome his/her limits and constraints he/she may face when approaching decision problems that count in the organization. This paper aims at reviewing several aspects concerning the utilization and technology of DSS in the context of LSS control. Particular emphasis is put on real-time DSS and multi-participant (group) DSS which support collaborative work. Several advanced solutions such as mixed knowledge systems, that combine numerical methods with AI-based tools, and the prospects of using Ambient intelligence (AmI) concepts in DSS construction are described.