Eliciting Decision-Makers’ Information Requirements: Application of the Rep Test Methodology

The Rep Test is presented and applied, a methodology for eliciting the information used, or desired to be used, by decision-makers, by examining the results of information sources scaled on information attributes.

Abstract

:Many information systems fail to achieve their promised potential because of the inability of the analyst to design a system attuned to the needs of the decision-maker. To remedy this situation, it is essential to develop new methodologies that facilitate the process of defining distinct decision parameters, understandable by the decision-maker, the analyst, and others in the organization.The primary purpose of this paper is to present and apply the Rep Test, a methodology for eliciting the information used, or desired to be used, by decision-makers. The information elicited and the salient characteristics decision-makers attach to this information are further analyzed and interpreted by examining the results of information sources scaled on information attributes.