SREE NARAYANA GURUKULAM COLLEGE OF

ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

ASSIGNMENT
OPERATIONS RESEARCH
Submitted by:

ARUN KJ
MBA, J1 (s2)
ROLL NO25

PHASES OF OPERATION RESEARCH STUDY

OR studies are rooted in teamwork were the O R analysts and the client work side
by side. The O R analyst expertise in molding must be complemented by the
experience and co-operation of the client for whom the study is being carried out.
As decision making tool O R is both a science and an art. It is science by
virtue of the mathematical techniques it embodies and it is an art because success
of the phase leading to the solution of the mathematical model depends large on
the creativity and the experience of the O R team. Willemain{1994} advice that
effective practice require more than analytical competence. It also require among
other attributes, technical, judgment and skill in communication and organizational
survival.
It is difficult to prescribe specific course of action for this intangible factors. We
can however offers general guidelines for the implementation of O R in practice
The principal phases for implementing OR in practice include the following
1. Definition of the problem.
2. Construction of the model.
3. Solution of the model.
4. Validation of the model.
5. Implementation of the solution.
1.

Definition of the problem

Involves defining the scope of the problem under investigation. This

function should be carried out by the entire OR team. The aim is to identify three
principle elements of decision making problem
a) Description of the decision alternatives.
b) Determination of the objectives of the study.

c) Specification of the limitation under which the modeled system

operates.
2.

Model construction
Entails an attempt to translate the problem definition into mathematical

relationships. If the resulting model fits one of the standard mathematical models,
such as linear programming we can usually reach a solution by using available
algorithms. Alternatively if the mathematical relationship are too complex to
allow the determination of an analytic solution the O R team may option to
simplify the model and use a heuristic approach or the team may consider of
simulation of appropriate.
3.

Model solution
Is by the far the simplest of all OR phases because it entails the use of
well- defined optimization algorithms. An important aspects of the model
solution is sensitivity analysis. It deals with obtaining additional information
about the behavior of optimum solution when the model undergoes some
parameters changes. Sensitivity analysis is particularly needed when the
parameter of the model cannot be estimated accurately.

4.

Model validity
Check whether or not to be the proposed model does what it purports to do
i.e.does it predict adequately the behavior of the system under study? Initially
the O R team should be convinced that the model output does not include
surprise. In other words does the solution make sense?

Are the results

acceptance? On the formal site, a common method for checking the validity of
the model is to compare it output with historical inputs data. The model valid if
under similar input conditions. It reasonably duplicate the past performance .
Generally

however there is a no assurance that future performance will

continuous to duplicate the past behavior. Also because the model is usually
based on careful examination of past data, the proposal comparison is usually
favorable.
5.

Implementation
Implementation of solution of a validate model involved the translation of the
result into understandable operating instruction to be issued to the people who
will administer the recommended system. The burden of this task lies primarily
with the O R team