What Do Operations Research Analysts Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Operations Research Analysts formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, service, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation. They also formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.

Other tasks include:

• Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy and reformulate models as necessary.
• Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
• Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
• Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.
• Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.
• Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.

We asked Operations Research Analysts how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 36% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Operations Research Analysts collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions. They break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.

• Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
• Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
• Define data requirements and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
• Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.
• Observe the current system in operation and gather and analyze information about each of the parts of component problems, using a variety of sources.

We asked some Operations Research Analysts a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	52% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	7% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	11% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Operations Research Analysts also formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters. They may also present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Operations Research Analysts Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy and reformulate models as necessary. They might also Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.

In addition, they Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.

To some Operations Research Analysts, it is also their responsibility to Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Operations Research Analyst, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/math/operations-research-analysts.htm

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