Decision support system model of vehicle spare part management for the Malaysian Army

This research looked into areas of system improvements through a decision support system model to manage the Army vehicles. To address related issues, three Research Questions with five corresponding Research Objectives were created. Research Question 1 looked how the present vehicle maintenance system was and it was addressed through Research Objective 1 which was the conceptual framework. Research Question 2 was to identify related issues with Research Objective 2 to create theoretical themes which included identifying issues. This led to Research Objective 3 which proposed appropriate mechanism to overcome issues faced. Research Question 3 was on how to view problems which occurred with Research Objective 4 to develop a forecasting testing system and Research Objective 5 to design the overall concept of the decision support system model that could help view and manage vehicles. The qualitative methodology was used in this research using case study method where data was collected using Delphi Method in four rounds. Finally, the thematic diagram that consist of seven themes as a result of analysis from the data collected and proposed management model were presented to the PUSTEKMA Tentera Darat for verification and feedback on the model. Among the main findings on the issues were closely related to limited financial resources and no system to monitor. As such a decision support system model was proposed consisting of proposed capturing of vehicle records and maintenances from the units, workshops, depots and subsequently establishing a decision support system that has vehicle dashboard information, testing facilities for forecasting, analysis based on Jadual Senggaraan Alatganti Tentera Darat (JASDA) and information for maximising vehicle repairs based on cost and availability of allocation. The themes along with the decision support system model is a form of contribution to the body of knowledge in this research.