1. What is Operations Research?
The activities carried out in an organization.
Research
The process of observation and testing characterized
by the scientific method. Situation, problem statement, model construction, validation, experimentation, candidate solutions.
Model
An abstract representation of reality. Mathematical, physical, narrative, set of rules in computer program.

2. Systems Approach
Include broad implications of decisions for the organization at each stage in analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are considered.
Optimal Solution
A solution to the model that optimizes (maximizes or minimizes) some measure of merit over all feasible solutions.
Team
A group of individuals bringing various skills and viewpoints to a problem.
Operations Research Techniques
A collection of general mathematical models, analytical procedures, and algorithms.

3. Problem Solving Process

4. Problems, Models and Methods
Real World
Situation
Problems
Models
Methods

5. Computations with Excel Add-ins
Where?
ME Undergrad Lab
Text book
Download from Web

6. Activate Excel Add-ins
Tools Menu:
Add ORMM or
Individual Add-ins

7. Available OR_MM Add-ins