Operational research : a better science for better decision making / Philip Pretorius

Abstract

This article aims to illustrate better science for better decision making, using new data, new models and/or new frameworks. An operational researcher (OR) incorporates new data, new models and/or a new framework to improve decision making. My research focus is in the following fields: management of projects, operational research methodologies, statistics, experimentation, and simulation. The focus in the management of projects is project risk management. OR methodology focuses on developing a new framework. In turn, the focus in statistics is developing new risk models to improve understanding and performance. Experimentation involves the production of new data and simulation focuses on understanding and improving complex processes. Subsequently, the challenges and future research in these fields are discussed.