Which systems are especially suited to situations in which the procedure for arriving at a solution may not be fully predefined in advance?

Decision-support systems are particularly suited for situations where the procedures for arriving at a solution may not be fully predefined because they are designed to assist in decision-making processes that involve complex and unstructured problems. These systems leverage data, sophisticated analytical tools, and models to provide insights and support for decision makers when facing uncertainties or incomplete information.

In scenarios where there are multiple variables and ambiguous outcomes, decision-support systems can help by simulating different scenarios, analyzing trends, and providing recommendations based on data analysis. This flexibility allows users to explore various options and make informed choices even when a straightforward path to a solution is not apparent.

In contrast, management information systems typically focus on providing routine reports and structured information to aid managerial decision-making but operate primarily with predefined procedures. Transaction processing systems are designed to handle day-to-day transactions and ensure that data is processed efficiently and accurately, which does not lend itself to unstructured problem-solving. Knowledge management systems facilitate the sharing and management of knowledge within an organization but do not specifically focus on helping with the decision-making process in uncertain situations. This distinction highlights why decision-support systems are ideal for complex and unpredictable contexts.