Operations Research Analysts

Career Description: Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods using a computer to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May develop related software, service, or products. Frequently concentrates on collecting and analyzing data and developing decision support software. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

Industry: Computer and Mathematical

Other Job Titles for Operations Research Analysts:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.
• Break systems into their component parts, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.
• Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.
• Observe the current system in operation and gather and analyze information about each of the parts of component problems, using a variety of sources.
• Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.
• Develop and apply time and cost networks to plan, control, and review large projects.
• Develop business methods and procedures, including accounting systems, file systems, office systems, logistics systems, and production schedules.
• Visit vendors, attend conferences or training and study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.
• Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
• Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, to alert them to future needs, to resolve problems, or to address system maintenance issues.
• Coordinate installation of new equipment.
• Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
• Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, and product education sessions for staff and suppliers.
• Develop or maintain project reporting systems.
• Develop disaster recovery plans.
• Develop network-related documentation.
• Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
• Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
• Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
• Supervise engineers and other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
• Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.

Emerging Tasks

• Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• advise clients or customers
• advise governmental or industrial personnel
• analyze operational or management reports or records
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• assist with business or managerial research
• collect scientific or technical data
• collect statistical data
• communicate technical information
• compile numerical or statistical data
• confer with research personnel
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• design computer programs or programming tools
• develop management control systems
• develop mathematical ideas or interpretations
• develop mathematical simulation models
• develop or maintain databases
• develop records management system
• develop tables depicting data
• direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
• evaluate management programs
• explain complex mathematical information
• follow statistical process control procedures
• make presentations
• obtain information from individuals
• perform statistical modeling
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• prepare reports
• prepare reports for management
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• program computers for management analysis applications
• program computers using existing software
• provide expert testimony on research results
• recommend further study or action based on research data
• resolve engineering or science problems
• select business applications for computers
• use computer application flow charts
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use cost benefit analysis techniques
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use object-oriented computer programming techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use statistical cost estimation methods
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• write technical specifications for computer systems, software or applications
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use cost benefit analysis techniques
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of mainframe computers
• use object-oriented computer programming techniques
• use project management techniques
• use relational database software
• use spreadsheet software
• use structural analysis techniques to analyze computer systems
• write business project or bid proposals
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write technical specifications for computer systems, software or applications
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers

Overall Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education
A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, physicists, school psychologists, and surgeons.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$32.19
• Average annual wage (2007) - $66,950.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 10.62%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 6,199
• Employment (2006): 58,353

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