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Questions and Answers
What is the main objective of analyzing feasibility for adding service facilities?
What is the main objective of analyzing feasibility for adding service facilities?
Which of the following is a key focus of the sequencing models?
Which of the following is a key focus of the sequencing models?
What is the primary goal of transportation problems in operations research?
What is the primary goal of transportation problems in operations research?
What can complicate the implementation of decisions in operations research?
What can complicate the implementation of decisions in operations research?
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Why might frequent changes in basic data be problematic for operations research models?
Why might frequent changes in basic data be problematic for operations research models?
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What are the primary objectives of the Society in relation to Operational Research?
What are the primary objectives of the Society in relation to Operational Research?
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Which of the following statements accurately represents the definition of Operational Research?
Which of the following statements accurately represents the definition of Operational Research?
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Which feature of Operational Research emphasizes the importance of collaboration among different disciplines?
Which feature of Operational Research emphasizes the importance of collaboration among different disciplines?
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What tax benefit does a contribution to the Society provide?
What tax benefit does a contribution to the Society provide?
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What role does the scientific approach play in Operational Research?
What role does the scientific approach play in Operational Research?
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What is the published journal of the Society that features high-quality papers in Operational Research?
What is the published journal of the Society that features high-quality papers in Operational Research?
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What does Operational Research aim to help decision-makers improve?
What does Operational Research aim to help decision-makers improve?
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Which of these is NOT listed as a feature of Operational Research?
Which of these is NOT listed as a feature of Operational Research?
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What is the main aim of the system approach in Operational Research?
What is the main aim of the system approach in Operational Research?
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Why is the use of computers essential in Operational Research?
Why is the use of computers essential in Operational Research?
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Which of the following fields is NOT mentioned as a significant area where Operational Research is applied?
Which of the following fields is NOT mentioned as a significant area where Operational Research is applied?
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What does Operational Research attempt to locate in problem-solving?
What does Operational Research attempt to locate in problem-solving?
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Which statement about human factors in Operational Research is true?
Which statement about human factors in Operational Research is true?
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Which of the following is a specific use of Operational Research in national planning?
Which of the following is a specific use of Operational Research in national planning?
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What primary objective do organizations define to assist in Operational Research?
What primary objective do organizations define to assist in Operational Research?
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In which way does Operational Research seek to resolve conflicts of interest?
In which way does Operational Research seek to resolve conflicts of interest?
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What is the primary focus of Operational Research?
What is the primary focus of Operational Research?
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Which tool is NOT commonly used in Operational Research?
Which tool is NOT commonly used in Operational Research?
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When did Modern Operations Research reportedly originate?
When did Modern Operations Research reportedly originate?
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Who is recognized as the 'Father of O.R.' for his influential work?
Who is recognized as the 'Father of O.R.' for his influential work?
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What was one of the early applications of Operations Research in the UK?
What was one of the early applications of Operations Research in the UK?
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In which year was the Operational Research Society of India founded?
In which year was the Operational Research Society of India founded?
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Where is the headquarters of the Operational Research Society of India located?
Where is the headquarters of the Operational Research Society of India located?
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What was a significant outcome of the efforts made during World War II by the Operational Research teams in the UK?
What was a significant outcome of the efforts made during World War II by the Operational Research teams in the UK?
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Which of the following is a key application of operational research in the defence services?
Which of the following is a key application of operational research in the defence services?
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In an industrial setting, operational research can assist with which of the following?
In an industrial setting, operational research can assist with which of the following?
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What is the primary focus of Queuing Theory within operational research?
What is the primary focus of Queuing Theory within operational research?
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Which methodology in operational research involves data collection as a crucial step?
Which methodology in operational research involves data collection as a crucial step?
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Linear Programming is best used to address which type of problems?
Linear Programming is best used to address which type of problems?
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Which of the following is NOT a technique of operational research?
Which of the following is NOT a technique of operational research?
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Which of the following is included in the application of operational research in R&D and engineering?
Which of the following is included in the application of operational research in R&D and engineering?
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What is one of the key outcomes expected from the implementation of operational research?
What is one of the key outcomes expected from the implementation of operational research?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Operational Research
- Operational Research (OR) is a systematic, analytical approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
- OR, used in USA, Canada, Africa, Australia, and Europe, is a branch of applied mathematics.
- It uses techniques and statistics to find optimal solutions to complex problems.
- OR aims to determine maximum profit, sales, output, crop yield, efficiency, and minimize losses, risks, costs, and time.
- It is a vital part of industrial engineering.
- Primary tools for Operational Researchers include statistics, game theory, and probability theory, etc.
History of Operational Research
- The exact origins of OR are uncertain. It emerged in England during World War II.
- Some credit Charles Babbage (1791-1871), who studied mail sorting and transport costs as the "Father of OR." His research led to England's Penny Post system in 1840.
- Operational Research began at the Bowdsey Research Station (UK) in 1937 to improve the UK's early radar system.
- Many people (approx. 1000 men and women) were employed during WWII to support the UK military.
- Operational research (OR) became operational analysis (OA) within the UK Ministry of Defence after the end of WWII. These later studies added and refined some of the previous techniques.
Operational Research in India
- The Operational Research Society of India was formed in 1957 to provide a platform for OR professionals to exchange ideas and use techniques and processes from outside the country.
- The society is part of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies.
- The society has twelve branches: Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Durgapur, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Madurai, Mumbai, and Tirupati.
- The goals include the advancement and practice of research in the field, the dissemination of knowledge, promotion of OR and promoting professionalism and academic standards of work in OR.
- Tax exemptions are available to those who contribute towards the goals of the society.
- The society publishes a quarterly journal called OPSEARCH, and has offered a graduate diploma programme in Operational Research since 1973.
Definition of Operational Research
- OR is an act of winning wars without fighting. - Arthur Clark
- OR is the scientific approach to problem-solving for management. - H.M. Wagner
- OR is the art of giving bad answers to problems that would otherwise result in worse answers. - T.L. Saaty
Features of Operational Research
- Decision-Making
- Scientific Approach
- Interdisciplinary Team Approach
- System Approach
- Use of Computers
- Objectives
- Human Factors
Decision Making
- Organizations use OR to find the best solutions to problems.
- OR aims to help executives make optimal decisions using OR techniques.
- It improves creative thinking, problem analysis, better control, coordination, systems, and decisions.
- OR uses scientific methods to solve complex problems.
- Subjectivity and guesswork are avoided.
Interdisciplinary Team Approach
- OR problems are complex and require a team effort, including scientists, mathematicians, and experts.
- The team uses OR tools to arrive at optimal solutions.
- Teams analyze relationships between variables and evaluate different solutions.
Systems Approach
- OR traces all significant and indirect impacts on a system and its subsystems.
- It evaluates all actions in terms of overall system effects.
- Using mathematical/analytical models, a suitable solution can be reached.
Use of Computers
- OR models need lots of calculations and so computer use is necessary.
- This allows effective handling of complex OR problems.
- The models aim to identify the best or optimal solution that addresses the objectives of an organization.
Human Factors
- In OR quantitative solutions, human factors are not typically considered.
- The human factor plays a major role in impacting problems.
Scope of Operational Research
- OR is used in all industrial and many other organizations. (ie. defense).
- It can handle simple to complex problems with all organizational aspects in mind.
Fields
- National Planning and Budgeting
- Defence Services
- Industrial Establishments and Private Sector Units
- R&D and Engineering
Methods/Approaches
- Orientation
- Problem Definition
- Data Collection
- Model Formulation
- Solution
- Analysis and Information
- Implementation and Monitoring
Techniques/Tools
- Linear Programming
- Queuing Theory
- Sequencing
- Transportation Problems
- Integer Problems
- Assignment Problems
- Decision Theory and Games Theory
- Replacement Problems
- Symbolic Logic
Time and Money Cost
- Changes to basic data require significant investment to maintain updated OR models.
- A good, achievable solution is often preferred over a perfect, but long-delayed solution.
- Implementation is sensitive to complex human relationships, behaviors, and psychological reactions, which might affect the perceived quality of a solution.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of Operational Research (OR), a systematic approach to decision-making rooted in applied mathematics. This quiz covers the history, key tools, and applications of OR in various industries. Test your knowledge on the techniques and impact of OR in optimizing complex problems.
