Many complex problems can be divided into subproblems.
Solving the simpler subproblems may help in solving a complex problem
Also, seemingly poorly structured problems sometimes have highly structured subproblems
Just as a semistructured problem results when some phases of decision making are structured whereas other phases are unstructured, so when some subproblems of a decision-making problem are structured with others unstructured, the problem itself is semistructured
As a DSS is developed and the decision maker and development staff learn more about the problem, it gains structure
Decomposition also facilitates communication among decision makers
Decomposition is one of the most important aspects of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP is discussed in Chapter 4; see Bhushan and Rai, 2004; Forman and Selly, 2001; Saaty, 2001; and expertchoice.com), which helps decision makers incorporate both qualitative and quantitative factors into their decision-making models.