Operational research in practice

Abstract

Operational research is the building and use of mathematical models to assist decision-taking. Literature of this subject concentrates on the models and the mathematical procedures to solve them. At least as important, however, are activities preceeding and following the mathematical part, such as problem definition, data gathering, creating alternatives, testing the model, presenting results of the model and controlling the implementation. These practical aspects can be learned using cases. This will be illustrated.