Or approach and problem solving
- 1. OPERATIONS RESEARCH APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING
- 2. WHAT IS OPERATIONS RESEARCH? OPERATION RESEARCH IS A SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF PROVIDING EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS WITH A QUANTITATIVE BASIS FOR DECISION REGARDING THE OPERATIONS UNDER THEIRCONTROL.
- 3. The most important feature of operations research is the use of the scientific method
- 4. and the building of decision models. The operations research approach to problem solving is based on three phases, namely: Judgement Phase. Research Phase and Action Phase.
- 5. Judgement Phase This phase includes: (i) Identification of the real-life problem, (ii) Selection of an appropriate objective and the values of various variables related to this objectives
- 6. (i) Application of the appropriate scale of measurement, i.e. deciding the measures of effectiveness (desirability) and (ii) Formulation of an appropriatemodel of the problemand the abstraction of the essential information, so that a solution to the decision-maker's goals can be obtained
- 7. Research Phase This phaseis the largest and longest amongst all the phases. However, even thoughthe remaining twoare not as long, theyare also equallyimportant as they provide the basis for a scientific method. Thisphase utilizes: (i) Observations and data collection for a better understanding of the problem, (ii) Formulationof hypothesis and model, (iii) Observation and experimentationto test the hypothesis on the basis of additional data,
- 8. (i) Analysis of the available informationand verification of the hypothesis using pre-established measures of desirability, (ii) Predictionof various results fromthe hypothesis, and (iii) Generalizationof the result and considerationof alternative methods.
- 9. Action Phase • This phase consists of making recommendations for implementing the decision. • Included actions are to write reports, prepare and deliver briefings, allocate and schedule resources(PERT, resource planning, scheduling), and, perhaps, promotional activities. • This decision is implemented by an individual who is in a position to implement results.
- 10. •This individual must be aware of the environment in which the problem occurred, be aware of the objective of assumptions behind the problem and the required omissions of the model.
- 11. IN A BRIEF: OBSERVATION PROBLEMDEFINITION MODELCONSTRUCTION SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION OPERATIONS RESEARCH APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING
- 12. The End