“What is Operational Research?”, I hear you shout.
Well, I’m glad you asked.
Operational Research (OR) is the use of analytical methods to solve (complex) problems and aid in decision-making.
Today, it is used in many areas: business, the armed forces, sports. These are just a few.
As a discipline, it was invented in Britain during World War II. However, historically, certain tools that OR practitioners use, have been used much earlier.
Charles Babbage is said to have used it in his study of “On the Economy of Machinery and Manufacture” in 1832. Even Leonardo da Vinci has been linked to OR, and other historical notables (eg Thomas Edison, Jon Van Neumann).
I don’t intend to go into all this, as they used specific tools to solve problems, as used in applied maths. We have all used applied mathematics to solve a problem.
The one thing that is fair to say is that without the computer, many of the problems we look at today simply would not be possible.
As an undergraduate studying OR in the early 80s, I found the subject both fascinating and challenging. The course was one of a handful of undergraduate courses available in the UK. OR was (it might even still be now, I don’t know) deemed a postgraduate subject, and with hindsight I understand why. It was hard work! There was a lot of material to study and master! It also requires a certain, shall I say, “maturer” mindset.
There are many OR cases studies, some absolutely fascinating. These studies are seen as an essential tool to learn the trade. Unfortunately, I can’t publish the ones I did in industry after I got my degree as they are company confidential (and I don’t have the docs anyway), but I do intend to go through studies that are in the public domain.
In the meantime, whilst I find the time to do this, if you would
like to learn more, please have a look -