INTRODUCTION TO Operations Research ECN 324 By Olagunju

INTRODUCTION TO Operations Research ECN 324 By Olagunju O. E. Bowen University Iwo, Osun state.

MODULE 1 Objectives: E To describe the historical background of Operation Research (OR) ETo define OR EState out the various characteristics of OR ETo identify several scientific methods in OR E To identify the scope and importance of Operations Research

Operations Research (OR) Operations Research is the application of analytical methods designed to help the decision makers choose between various courses of action available to accomplish specified objectives (Israr)

History of Operations Research • Before World War Fredrick Taylor performed an experiment using a simple shovel to move a load of ore, with the sole aim of getting optimal results (i. e. maximum amount of ore with minimum fatigue) • During World War II Scientists were teamed up to solve problems associated with the available military resources need to perform various military operations

History of Operations Research contd • After the World War II Military Operational Research in U. K. became Operational Analysis (OA) within the U. K. Ministry of Defence grew with expanded techniques and graving awareness. • Modern Operations Research OR originated at the Bowdsey Research Station in U. K. in 1937 to analyse and improve the working of the UK’s Early Warning Radar System.

Operations Research (OR) : DEFINITIONS • OR - is the applications of scientific methods by inter disciplinary teams to problems involving the control of organised (Man-Machine) systems so as to provide solutions which best serve the purpose of the organisation as a whole (Ackoff and Sasieni, 1991). • OR - is applied decision theory. It uses any scientific, Mathematical or logical means to attempt to cope with the problems that confront the executive when he tries to achieve a thorough going rationality in dealing with his decision problems (Miller and Starr, 1973).

Definition contd • OR - is a scientific approach to problem solving for executive management (Wagner, 1973). • OR - is the art of giving bad answers to problems, to which, otherwise, worse answers are given (Saaty, 1959)

Characteristics of OR v Decision-Making v Scientific Approach v Inter-Disciplinary Team Approach v System Approach v Use of Computers v Objectives v Human Factors

Scope of Operations Research OR is use in almost all discipline of business and government. Here are some of the areas that adopted OR • Accounting • Finance • Manufacturing • Human resources/organizational behavior • Purchasing etc.