| What Operational Research Is In a nutshell, operational research (O.R.) is the discipline
of applying advanced analytical methods to help make better
decisions.
By using techniques such as mathematical modelling to analyse
complex situations, operational research gives executives
the power to make more effective decisions and build more
productive systems based on:
- More complete data
- Consideration of all available options
- Careful predictions of outcomes and estimates
of risk
- The latest decision tools and techniques
Once a good or better way of proceeding has been identified,
OR people are often central to the implementation of the
proposed change.
Organisations may seek a very wide range
of operational improvements - for example, greater efficiency,
better customer service, higher quality or lower cost.
Whatever the business engineering aim, OR can offer the flexibility
and adaptability to provide objective help.
Most of the problems OR tackles are messy and complex,
often entailing considerable uncertainty. OR can use advanced
quantitative methods, modelling, problem structuring, simulation
and other analytical techniques to examine assumptions, facilitate
an in -depth understanding and decide on practical action. | 
