Abstract illustration of interconnected data nodes forming a decision-making network.

Unlock Efficiency: How Operational Research Can Revolutionize Your Decision-Making

Samir D’Costa in Tech & Innovation June 2025 • 3 min read.

"Discover the power of operational research and its surprising applications across industries, from healthcare to finance, and how it can help you make smarter, data-driven decisions."

In today's rapidly evolving world, organizations are constantly seeking ways to optimize their operations, enhance efficiency, and make informed decisions. One field that has emerged as a powerful tool for achieving these goals is operational research (OR). Operational research is a multidisciplinary branch of mathematics, statistics, and computer science that applies scientific methods to improve decision-making and problem-solving in various industries and organizations. Whether you're in healthcare, logistics, finance, or even the public sector, the principles of OR can provide valuable insights and strategies for success.

The Croatian Operational Research Society, established in 1992, exemplifies the collaborative spirit at the heart of this discipline. This society fosters connections between researchers and practitioners, promoting the development and application of OR techniques to address real-world challenges. For decades, OR has been a cornerstone of academic study in Croatia, and with the rise of advanced computing technologies capable of processing massive datasets, its relevance and appeal have only grown. By gathering over 150 researchers dedicated to promoting operational research both locally and globally, organizations like this are integral to progress.

This article explores the fascinating world of operational research, its diverse applications, and how it can empower individuals and organizations to make smarter, more effective decisions.

The Core Principles of Operational Research

Abstract illustration of interconnected data nodes forming a decision-making network.

At its core, operational research is about using a scientific approach to solve complex problems. This involves:

Problem Definition: Clearly identifying and defining the problem or opportunity.
Data Collection: Gathering relevant data and information to understand the problem.
Model Development: Creating mathematical or computational models to represent the problem.
Analysis and Optimization: Using the model to analyze different scenarios and find the best possible solution.

These steps are often iterative, meaning that the process may involve refining the model and analysis based on new information or insights. The goal is to provide decision-makers with evidence-based recommendations that lead to improved outcomes.

Embracing the Power of OR

The future of decision-making lies in embracing the power of data-driven insights and scientific methodologies. Operational research provides a framework for transforming complex challenges into opportunities for innovation and improvement. By understanding its core principles and exploring its diverse applications, individuals and organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency, effectiveness, and success.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10100-018-0558-3, Alternate LINK

Title: Cejor Special Issue Of Croatian Operational Research Society

Subject: Management Science and Operations Research

Journal: Central European Journal of Operations Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Marijana Zekić-Sušac, Rudolf Scitovski, Goran Lešaja

Published: 2018-06-14

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key steps involved in applying operational research to solve a problem, and what crucial elements are sometimes overlooked?

Operational research (OR) employs a scientific methodology involving problem definition, data collection, model development, and analysis and optimization to improve decision-making. These steps are iterative, refining the model based on new information to provide evidence-based recommendations, but there are other components that are also of high importance. Missing from that list include implementation and evaluation. If these components are not present the OR project has a higher chance of failure.

How does the Croatian Operational Research Society contribute to the advancement of operational research, and are there other similar organizations?

The Croatian Operational Research Society fosters collaboration between researchers and practitioners to advance the application of OR techniques. They promote development and application of OR techniques to address real-world challenges. Organizations like this are integral to progress by gathering over 150 researchers dedicated to promoting operational research both locally and globally. It serves as a hub for knowledge sharing and innovation within the field, but it is not the only one out there. EURO (The Association of European Operational Research Societies) brings together multiple OR societies within Europe. INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences) is the largest international professional society for practitioners in the fields of operations research, management science, and analytics.

In what industries can operational research be applied, and what specific area is particularly well-suited for OR techniques?

Operational research (OR) can be applied to a wide range of industries, including healthcare, logistics, finance, and the public sector. It helps organizations optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and make informed decisions. One area of great potential for OR that is not mentioned here is within supply chain. Supply chain design, inventory management, and network optimization are all areas where operations research can make a big impact.

How does embracing operational research lead to innovation and improvement, and what tools and resources can further enhance these efforts?

Operational research (OR) transforms complex challenges into opportunities for innovation and improvement by applying data-driven insights and scientific methodologies. By understanding its core principles and exploring its diverse applications, individuals and organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency, effectiveness, and success. There are also software packages that can help to accelerate the process. Some examples of software that can be used are AIMMS, CPLEX, and Gurobi.

What does Model Development involve within Operational Research and how are the models used?

Model Development in Operational Research involves creating mathematical or computational models to represent the problem. These models are simplified representations of reality that allow analysts to experiment with different scenarios and evaluate potential solutions. These models can range in complexity depending on the type of problem being solved. These models can be used to look at descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. Many times, stochastic models are created and solved using simulation.