Operations research

Operations research (OR) is a discipline that deals with the application of advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions. It is often considered to be a sub-field of mathematics. The terms operations research and management science (MS) are often used synonymously. Employing techniques from other mathematical sciences, such as mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and mathematical optimization, operations research arrives at optimal or near-optimal solutions to complex decision-making problems.

History

The roots of operations research lie in the Industrial Revolution and the concurrent development of military science in the late 19th century. The field came into being during World War II in the United Kingdom under the auspices of the British military, when a team of scientists sought to make the best possible use of new technology and limited military resources.

Methodology

Operations research uses various methods to solve problems, including simulation, mathematical optimization, queueing theory, Markov decision processes, econometric methods, data envelopment analysis, neural networks, expert systems, decision analysis, and the analytic hierarchy process.

Applications

Operations research is used in numerous sectors, including the airline industry, manufacturing, service industry, military operations, healthcare, public services, and sports.

See also

• List of operations research topics
• Operations research letters
• Operations Research Society of America
• Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences