In decision-making, what type of system analyses complex data to help executives evaluate scenarios?

In decision-making, a decision support system (DSS) is specifically designed to analyze complex data and assist executives in evaluating various scenarios. A DSS integrates data from multiple sources and applies analytical models to help users make informed decisions. It offers flexibility in analyzing data and can provide insights by simulating different business scenarios, allowing managers to explore the potential impacts of their decisions.

A DSS stands out because it not only processes the data but also supports the decision-making process with tools that help in forecasting, what-if analyses, and scenario planning. This is crucial in environments where executives face uncertainty and need to make strategic choices based on varying sets of data.

While business intelligence systems do provide analysis and insights, they are often focused more on reporting and visualizing historical data to support strategic decision-making rather than the interactive analysis of complex, scenario-based data that a DSS offers. Transaction processing systems and operational support systems serve different functions, primarily focused on day-to-day operations and data processing, rather than supporting higher-level decision-making.