Operations Research

Topics: Systems Theory

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In systems theory, operations research is the application of the scientific method by interdisciplinary teams to improve decision making.

Operations research uses the following methodology for problem solving:

1. Define and understand the problem thoroughly.
2. Build the mathematical model.
3. Solve the problem.
4. Analyse the results.
5. Verify the results.
6. Implement the model.

Notice that this is basically the scientific method applied to systems and their problems (cf. Scientific Method in Statistics).

Resolving vs. solving vs. dissolving

Here, it’s important to make a distinction between:

• Resolving the problem, i.e. finding any way to (temporarily) alleviate the problem
• Solving the problem, i.e. finding the optimal solution for it
• Dissolving the problem, i.e. making the problem stand out less