Engineering Applications

of Operations Research

names

07 November 2021
Outline
Slide 1 Cover page
Slide 2 Outline
Slide 3-4 Terminologies related to Operational
Research
Slide 5 What is OR ?
Slide 6 How is OR achieved?
Slide 7-12 Steps to OR
Slide 13-14 Themes of OR
Slide 15 Societies for OR
Slide 16-23 Applications of OR
Slide 24-27 Opportunities for incorporating OR in
Bahrain
Slide 28 Conclusion
Slide 29 Links
 Terminologies related to Operations Research
(OR)

 In UK/Europe it is called “Operational Research”

 In USA it is called “Operations Research”
Operations research, often shortened to the initialism OR, is a discipline
that deals with the development and application of advanced
analytical methods to improve decision-making
 ‘Management Science’ (MS) is often used synonymously with OR.
Management Science tends to focus on quantitative tools and the soft
skills necessary to manage projects successfully. Operations Research
gives the essential scientific contribution to the success of project
management through the development of models and algorithms.

In USA, OR and MS are combined together to form "OR/MS" or "ORMS"

 ‘Industrial Engineering’ (IE) is an engineering profession
that is concerned with the optimization of complex
processes, systems, or organizations by developing,
improving and implementing integrated systems of
people, money, knowledge, information and equipment

 The field of ‘Decision Science’ (DS) studies judgments

and decisions by individuals, groups and organizations.
 What is Operations Research (OR)?

Operations The activities carried out in an organization

The process of observation and testing

Research
characterized by the scientific method.

Operations A quantitative approach to decision making

Research based on the scientific method of problem
solving
 How is ‘OR’ achieved?

OR is achieved by

• A better understanding of the problems (objectives, constraints,

…)

• More complete data

• Consideration of all available options

• Careful predictions of outcomes and estimates of risks

• The latest decision tools and techniques

 Steps to ‘OR’

1. Formulate the problem

• This is the most important

process.

• Gets sufficient information:

Visits, observations, research,
etc.

• Understand the organizational

climate, objectives and
expectations.
 Steps to ‘OR’

2. Develop a model

• Express the problem into a

mathematical model that
represents systems, processes
or environment in the form of
equations, relationships or
formulas.

• Identify both the static and

dynamic structural elements.
 Steps to ‘OR’

3. Select appropriate data

input

• Garbage in and garbage out is

a famous saying.

• The purpose of this step is to

have sufficient input to operate
and test the model.
 Steps to ‘OR’

4. Solution of the model

• Find a solution: If the model is

not behaving properly, then
updating and modification is

considered at this stage.

 Steps to ‘OR’

5. Validation of the model

• A model is said to be valid if it
can provide a reliable prediction
of the system’s performance.

• A model must be applicable for a

longer time and can be updated
from time to time taking into
consideration the past, present
and future aspects of the
problem.
 Steps to ‘OR’

6. Implement the solution

• The implementation of the solution
involves so many behavioral issues
and the implementing authority is
responsible for resolving these
issues.
• The gap between one who
provides a solution and one who
wishes to use it should be
eliminated.
• To achieve this, O.R. scientist as
well as management should play a
positive role.
 Themes of ‘OR’

1. Data Analytics: Data-driven analytics and fact-based decision making

in practice
2. Applied Probability: Application of probability theory to systems that
involve random phenomena
3. Computing: Addresses the interface of OR and computing
4. Decision Analysis: Promotes the development and use of logical
methods for improving decision-making
5. Health Applications: It examines a system and experiments in the
environment specific to the program with alternative strategies to find
the most suitable one and has an objective of improvement in the
system.
6. Information Systems: Seeks to foster, promote, and disseminate
research on the use and impact of information technology in
organizations.
 Themes of ‘OR’

7. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management: Enhancement of

knowledge, and the efficiency of industrial practice, related to the
operations function in manufacturing and service enterprises
8. Marketing Science: Apply research, science and technologies that
improve the practice of marketing.
9. Military Applications: Research in global defense-related topics:
military operations and security.
10. Optimization: Development and application of optimization methods
and software tools for the solution of problems in OR/MS.
11. Transportation Science & Logistics: Develop optimization models
that for freight transportation and logistics
12. Simulation: Solving decision making problem by
designing ,constructing and manipulating a model of the real system
 Societies for ‘OR’

• IEEE (The Institute of • INFORMS (The Institute

Electrical and Electronics for Operations Research
Engineers, 420,000 and the Management
members, IEEE Bahrain Sciences, 12,500
section) members)
 IET (The Institution of  IFORMS
Engineering and (The International
Technology, 167,000 Federation of
members, IET Bahrain Operational Research
local network) Societies, 30,000
members)
 Applications of OR – Assembly lines

1913, Henry Ford installs the first

moving assembly line for the mass Toyota assembly lines
production of an entire
automobile.
Applications of OR – Assembly lines

Master 2000: Design of a balanced assembly

line
 Applications of OR – Scheduling

Task and project scheduling

Operational Research has given essential scientific

contributions to the success of Project Management
not just through multiple models to understand and
to represent projects but also by the development of
algorithms and aids to support the decisional role of
project manage
 Applications of OR – Scheduling

Samsung – 1995

 Objective: Require production scheduling techniques to

cut manufacturing cycle time and inventory.

 Solution: SLIM (Short cycle time and Low Inventory in

Manufacturing)

 Result: Additional $ 1 billion in Sales revenue

 Applications of OR – Satellite Navigation

 Mobile-based or car-integrated navigation system

calculates the optimum route in few seconds

 A route map is displayed

 Verbal instructions throughout the journey

 Applications of OR – Satellite Navigation

 More sophisticated navigation systems: constant

monitor of the journey

• Provide delays

• Instant calculation of the new optimum route

• Rerouting

 Use of optimization algorithms and heuristics

 Applications of OR – Airlines

 Classes of tickets

• Some passengers want the lowest price

• Others want the flexibility: book at any time, cancel a flight, switch
flights.

 Real time booking monitoring

• Prices change dynamically

• Cancellation

 Optimal Flight schedule (MSc. Subject proposed by Air France)

• Avoid accidents and delays.

• Optimize the fuel consumption

 Sophisticated analysis is provided by the OR

 Applications of OR – Energy systems

 Renewable Integration (solar, hydroelectric, …)

 Production Capacity Adequacy

 Distribution
Opportunities to incorporate OR in Bahrain

Logistics and supply chain (Mina Salman)

Opportunities to incorporate OR in Bahrain

Manufacturing, maintenance, waste disposal, …

Opportunities to incorporate OR in Bahrain

Logistics and supply chain (Mina Salman)

Opportunities to incorporate OR in Bahrain

Bahrain Financial Harbour DHL

Bahrain Bus
 Conclusion

We have seen an overview of Operational Research

(OR) along with its various applications. We have also
suggested various sectors where OR can be
incorporated. Given the time and cost advantages, OR
should be incorporated into various fields and research
needs to be constantly done to find such opportunities
 Links

https://youtu.be/pCVjhJ0pEIw