PHPSimplex

What is Operations Research?

Operational Research or Operations Research is a modern discipline that uses mathematical, statistical, and algorithms to model and solve complex problems, determining the optimal solution and improving decision-making. This matter is also called Operational Research, Decision Science or Management Science.

Operations Research currently includes many branches as Linear Programming, Nonlinear Programming, Dynamic Programming, Simulation, Queuing Theory, Inventory Theory, Graph Theory, etc.

Although its birth as a science is set during World War II and is named after the military operations, the true origins of Operational Research go much further back in time, until the seventeenth century (from the mathematical point of view). You can even consider the problem of optimal use of available resources has always existed, and with which humanity has been trying throughout history. But the rise of this science is due in most part to the rapid development of information technology, which has enabled the resolution of problems in practice and obtaining solutions that otherwise would involve a huge calculation time making them unviable.

Due to the great success of the Operations Research in the military field, it will spread to other fields such as industry, physics, management, computer science, engineering, economics, statistics and probability, ecology, education, social service, ... nowadays, it is used in almost every conceivable area where it is intended to improve efficiency (see examples of real cases and benefits of using Operations Research).