Nov 20, 2020
By Marie Oldfield CSci CStat
This week we have been working with the University of Strathclyde on the improvement of Operational Research (OR) methods and training. Operational Research methods consisting of all forms of mixing, including tools, techniques, methods, methodologies and paradigms. OR is a profession that has seen a marked decline of late but remains one of the most flexible disciplines where problem-solving is the key required skill. With our years of experience in this area, Oldfield Consultancy is able to input valuable expertise to move this project forwards.
An Operational Researcher or Operational Analyst (OA/OR) could be seen as an applied Mathematician or an applied Statistician. The first step in any problem solving is to understand the context and environment surrounding the problem to be modelled. This is key and is something that is a vital step in any discipline using models. The next step would be to break the problem down from complexity to clarity. Only then might we examine what tools are available or decide to build our own. Normally the OA/OR specialist has a wide repertoire of tools and can build them on the fly. Whilst working in the field with Defence or with Senior Military training courses I have built several models from scratch to model complex problems with air or land deployment. The questions often come thick and fast and can range from refugee numbers to food required, to route to take, to how many platforms do we need. These problems seem quite straightforward but when placed into highly complex scenarios with many different variables and considerations it is imperative that those in command have and OA/OR specialist by their side.
I am especially keen to promote the use of OA and OR as I know how vital this discipline really is in any area of analysis. If you want your problem solved then OA/OR is a good way to go to achieve this.