Table 2.

The contrast between the "old think" of many DSS projects and the "new think" that considers decision tools as a potential technology to help get evidence into practice.

Old think	New think
Complex computerised decision support system that demands respect and understanding	A discrete decision tool with the complexity concealed within a simple functional exterior
Hard technical problems are the main focus	Hard knowledge management problems are the main focus
Evaluation should focus on the DSS	Evaluation should focus on the knowledge problems
The technology dominates the project	The problem dominates the project
Select problems that DSS can address	Focus on a knowledge problem and match the solution to this – ignoring DSS if need be
Improved decisions are the end point	Getting evidence into practice is the end point
The important distinctions are between DSS reasoning methods	The important distinctions are between different knowledge management problems and their causes