Development decision centers — a strategy to improve development decision-making

Development decision centers equipped with adequate information technology (IT) can help to improve development decisions, increase effectiveness and efficiency of decision conferences and support democratization and political stability.

Abstract

Political, economic and social development requires 'good governance' and intelligent decision-making. Development decision centers (DDC) equipped with adequate information technology (IT) can help to improve development decisions, increase effectiveness and efficiency of decision conferences and support democratization and political stability.DDC provide IT-based facilities for brainstorming, discussion, organization and evaluation of ideas, objectives, strategies, projects, etc. They can be integrated into community information centers which are recognized as a 'multisectoral concept' for improving development. They can also be established within government agencies, business corporations, universities and other institutions of higher learning to offer assistance in solving complex development problems that require close collaboration of management and expert teams.The paper analyzes political, socio-cultural and economic development problems, and explains typical steps of development decision-making, using a group support system in the DDC, the author has established at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It is believed to be the first such center in Africa.In view of the increasing globalization of trade and international cooperation, DDC can play an important role in the concept of the International Office of the Future. They help to integrate developing countries into the world economy and enhance intercultural understanding while, at the same time, improving transparency, accountability and productivity of development planning.