Operations research

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Operations research  (U.S. <a href="/facts/Air_Force_Specialty_Code/kRJWYj5P">Air Force Specialty Code</a>: Operations Analysis), often shortened to the <a href="/facts/Initialism/nlHK7aRt">initialism</a> OR, is a branch of applied mathematics that deals with the development and application of analytical methods to improve management and decision-making. Although the term <a href="/facts/Management_science/GVfa43B6">management science</a> is sometimes used similarly, the two fields differ in their scope and emphasis.
</p><p>Employing techniques from other mathematical sciences, such as <a href="/facts/Mathematical_model/CGhyuxgz">modeling</a>, <a href="/facts/Statistics/DNPsKGYU">statistics</a>, and <a href="/facts/Mathematical_optimization/oRn8Iv5I">optimization</a>, operations research arrives at optimal or near-optimal solutions to <a href="/facts/Decision-making/NbJYprSw">decision-making</a> problems. Because of its emphasis on practical applications, operations research has overlapped with many other disciplines, notably <a href="/facts/Industrial_engineering/TjInYQeC">industrial engineering</a>. Operations research is often concerned with determining the extreme values of some real-world objective: the <a href="/facts/Maxima_and_minima/ADlgnyzV">maximum</a> (of profit, performance, or yield) or minimum (of loss, risk, or cost). Originating in military efforts before <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a>, its techniques have grown to concern problems in a variety of industries.
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Operations research open-in-new

Operations research