Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of Operational Research?
What is the primary goal of Operational Research?
Which of the following is NOT a primary tool used in Operational Research?
Which of the following is NOT a primary tool used in Operational Research?
When is it generally accepted that the field of Operational Research originated?
When is it generally accepted that the field of Operational Research originated?
Who is referred to as the Father of Operational Research?
Who is referred to as the Father of Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
What year was the Operational Research Society of India founded?
What year was the Operational Research Society of India founded?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is the headquarters of the Operational Research Society of India located?
Where is the headquarters of the Operational Research Society of India located?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements is true about the Operational Research Society of India?
Which of the following statements is true about the Operational Research Society of India?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one of the main applications of Operational Research during World War II?
What was one of the main applications of Operational Research during World War II?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary objective of transportation problems in operations research?
What is the primary objective of transportation problems in operations research?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the purpose of sequencing models?
Which of the following best describes the purpose of sequencing models?
Signup and view all the answers
What challenge is associated with frequently changing basic data in operations research models?
What challenge is associated with frequently changing basic data in operations research models?
Signup and view all the answers
What factor can impact the implementation of decisions in operations research?
What factor can impact the implementation of decisions in operations research?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the analysis of feasibility in adding facilities assess?
What does the analysis of feasibility in adding facilities assess?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines the main objectives of the Society involved with Operational Research?
What defines the main objectives of the Society involved with Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes Operational Research according to H.M. Wagner?
Which of the following best describes Operational Research according to H.M. Wagner?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key characteristic of the Decision-Making aspect of Operational Research?
What is a key characteristic of the Decision-Making aspect of Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a feature of Operational Research?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Inter-Disciplinary Team Approach in Operational Research involve?
What does the Inter-Disciplinary Team Approach in Operational Research involve?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes the Scientific Approach in Operational Research?
What distinguishes the Scientific Approach in Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of the quarterly journal OPSEARCH?
What is the purpose of the quarterly journal OPSEARCH?
Signup and view all the answers
What benefit does contribution to the Society provide under the Income Tax Act?
What benefit does contribution to the Society provide under the Income Tax Act?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary goal of the system approach in operational research?
What is the primary goal of the system approach in operational research?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the use of computers essential in operational research?
Why is the use of computers essential in operational research?
Signup and view all the answers
What does operational research aim to find in its analysis?
What does operational research aim to find in its analysis?
Signup and view all the answers
How do human factors influence operational research?
How do human factors influence operational research?
Signup and view all the answers
In which area is operational research NOT commonly applied?
In which area is operational research NOT commonly applied?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is an example of operational research in national planning?
Which of the following is an example of operational research in national planning?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is NOT a common objective of operational research?
Which of these is NOT a common objective of operational research?
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of problems can operational research be applied to?
What kind of problems can operational research be applied to?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the main applications of Operational Research in defence services?
What is one of the main applications of Operational Research in defence services?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT considered a technique of Operational Research?
Which of the following is NOT considered a technique of Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
Which component comes first in the methodologies of Operational Research?
Which component comes first in the methodologies of Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Linear Programming primarily assist businesses?
How does Linear Programming primarily assist businesses?
Signup and view all the answers
Which area can Operational Research be effectively applied in the industrial sector?
Which area can Operational Research be effectively applied in the industrial sector?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the focus of Queuing Theory?
Which of the following best describes the focus of Queuing Theory?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the last step of the methodologies of Operational Research?
What is the last step of the methodologies of Operational Research?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Operational Research NOT help with in R&D and Engineering?
What does Operational Research NOT help with in R&D and Engineering?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Introduction to Operational Research
- Operational Research (OR) is a systematic approach to decision-making and problem-solving using applied math, techniques and statistics.
- OR aims to find optimal solutions, which are the best possible solutions, that minimize cost, maximize profits, and improve efficiency.
- OR is used in industrial engineering.
- Some of the tools used in OR are:
- Statistics
- Game Theory
- Probability Theory
History of Operational Research
- OR originated in England during World War II.
- It is believed that Charles Babbage was the father of OR, as his research led to the development of the University Penny Post in 1840.
- Modern OR originated in 1937 at the Bowdsey Research Station in the UK.
- During World War II, over 1000 men and women were engaged in OR for the British Army.
- After World War II, Military Operational Research in the UK became Operational Analysis (OA) within the U.K. Ministry of Defence.
Operational Research in India
- The Operational Research Society of India was founded in 1957 to provide a forum for OR scientists and promote the exchange of knowledge and techniques.
- The Society is affiliated with the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS).
- The Society has 12 operating chapters located in India.
- The society publishes a quarterly journal, OPSEARCH, which features high-quality research in OR.
- The Society has been conducting the Graduate Diploma in Operational Research exam since 1973.
Definitions of Operational Research
- One definition of OR is: “It is an Act of winning wars without actually fighting.” — Aurther Clark
- Another definition of OR is: “It is a Scientific Approach to problem solving for executive management.” — H.M.Wagner
- A third well-known definition is: “It is Art of giving bad answers to problems which otherwise have worse answers.” — T.L.Saaty
Features of Operations Research
- Decision-Making: OR helps executives to make the best decisions by analyzing data, calculating optimal solutions, and considering various factors.
- Scientific Approach: OR uses scientific methods, techniques, and tools to solve complex problems.
- Inter-Disciplinary Team Approach: A team of experts (e.g., scientists, mathematicians, and technocrats) is used to find optimal solutions for the organization’s problems.
- System Approach: This approach considers the effect of actions on the system as a whole and identifies interactions between different components.
- Use of Computers: Complex calculations required by OR models make the use of computers essential.
- Objectives: OR helps to define and analyze the objectives of the organization.
- Human Factors: It’s important to consider human factors when implementing OR solutions, as they play a crucial role in the success of any decision.
Scope of Operational Research
- OR is used in all sectors of industry, including:
- National Planning and Budgeting
- Defence Services
- Industrial Establishments and Private Sector Units
- R&D and Engineering
National Planning & Budgeting
- OR is used to prepare:
- Five Year Plans
- Annual Budgets
- Income and Expenditure Forecasts
- Schedules for Major Projects of National Importance
- Estimates of GNP
- Estimates of GDP
- Population Forecasts
- Employment Forecasts
- Forecasts of Agricultural Yields
Defence Services
- OR has applications in many areas of the military, including:
- Development of New Technology
- Optimization of Cost and Time
- Tender Evaluation
- Setting and Layouts of Defence Projects
- Assessment of “Threat Analysis”
- Battle Strategy
- Effective Maintenance and Replacement of Equipment
- Inventory Control
- Transportation
- Supply Depots
Industrial Establishments and Private Sector Units
- OR is widely used in:
- Plant Location and Setting Finance Planning
- Product and Process Planning
- Facility Planning and Construction
- Production Planning and Control
- Purchasing
- Maintenance Management
- Personnel Management
R&D and Engineering
- OR is used in R&D and Engineering to:
- Forecast and Evaluate Technology
- Manage Technology and Projects
- Prepare Tenders and Negotiate
- Perform Value Engineering
- Conduct Work/Method Studies
Methodologies/Approaches of Operational Research
- The steps for using OR are as follows:
- Orientation: Understand the problem and its context
- Problem Definition: Clearly and concisely state the problem
- Data Collection: Gather accurate and relevant data
- Model Formulation: Develop a mathematical model that represents the problem
- Solution: Solve the model to find the optimal solution
- Analysis and Information: Examine the solution and its implications
- Implementation and Monitoring: Implement the solution and monitor its effectiveness
Techniques/Tools of Operational Research
- Linear Programming: A technique used to optimize an objective function (e.g., maximizing profit or minimizing cost) subject to constraints. The objective function and constraints are linear.
- Queuing Theory: This theory analyzes situations with queues, like customers waiting for service, or machinery waiting to be repaired. It helps to determine the right number of service facilities to minimize long wait times.
- Sequencing: Models are used to determine the best order for processing jobs to minimize total processing time.
- Transportation Problems: These problems involve transporting goods from multiple sources to multiple destinations with limited supplies and specified demands, and the goal is to minimize transportation costs.
- Integer Problems: Involves finding integer solutions to linear programming problems.
- Assignment Problems: These problems involve assigning tasks or resources to individuals or machines, and the goal is to minimize cost or maximize efficiency.
- Decision Theory and Games Theory: These theories provide tools for decision-making under uncertainty, where outcomes are affected by the choices of other players.
- Replacement Problems: Used to determine the optimal time to replace equipment or assets to minimize costs over their lifespan.
- Symbolic Logic: Provides a framework for representing and manipulating logical relationships and concepts.
Time and Money Cost
- OR models are complex and can be expensive to develop and maintain.
- The computation time required increases with the size of the problem and the level of detail required. An approximate solution that is available quickly may be more desirable than a perfect solution that takes a long time to calculate.
Implementation
- Implementing any decision based on OR can be challenging.
- It is important to consider human relations and behavior, as people can offer resistance to change for psychological reasons.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the fundamentals of Operational Research (OR) through this quiz, which covers its systematic approach to decision-making and problem-solving. Learn about the history of OR, its origins during World War II, and the key mathematical tools involved, such as statistics and game theory.
