Operations Research Analyst

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

On the job, you would:

Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
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.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Operations research analysts use a range of methods, including forecasting and data mining, to examine and interpret data.

Communication skills. Operations research analysts write memos, reports, and other documents and often present their data and conclusions to managers and other executives. They must be able to convey technical information in a way that is understandable to nontechnical audiences.

Critical-thinking skills. Operations research analysts must be able to organize information and make connections between ideas and facts.

Interpersonal skills. Operations research analysts typically work on teams. They also need to be able to persuade managers and executives to accept their recommendations.

Math skills. The models and methods used by operations research analysts are rooted in statistics, calculus, linear algebra, and other mathematics disciplines.

Problem-solving skills. Operations research analysts need to be able to diagnose problems and study relevant information to solve them.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		100%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		89%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		88%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		84%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		84%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		83%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		83%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		81%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		77%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		75%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		71%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		65%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		61%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		59%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		89%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		72%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
		61%	Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		83%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		78%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		70%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		67%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		94%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		81%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		81%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		81%	Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
		78%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		78%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		72%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		69%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		69%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		69%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		60%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		60%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		53%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		68%	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
		63%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		63%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		63%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		63%	Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
		63%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		61%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		59%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
		57%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		57%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		57%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		57%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Present research results to others.

Train others on work processes.

Develop scientific or mathematical models.

Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.

Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.

Develop scientific or mathematical models.

Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.

Evaluate data quality.

Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.

Determine appropriate methods for data analysis.

Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.

Document operational activities.

Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.

Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.

Determine appropriate methods for data analysis.

Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.

Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.

Design computer modeling or simulation programs.

Develop detailed project plans.

Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.

Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		100%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		94%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		91%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		90%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		89%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		86%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		84%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		83%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		79%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		67%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		60%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		57%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		56%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		56%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		55%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		87%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		98%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		96%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		94%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		90%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		89%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		85%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		83%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		83%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		79%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		75%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		71%	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.
		70%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		70%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		68%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		63%	Communicating with People Outside the 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.
		61%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		59%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		57%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		53%	Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
		51%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

What Operations Research Analysts Do

Operations research analysts advise managers and other decision makers on the appropriate course of action to solve a problem.

Operations research analysts use mathematics and logic to help organizations make informed decisions and solve problems.

Duties

Operations research analysts typically do the following:

Identify problems in areas such as business, logistics, healthcare, or other fields
Collect and organize information from a variety of sources, such as databases, sales histories, and customer feedback
Gather input from workers or subject-matter experts
Analyze collected data and extract information relevant to the problem being addressed
Develop and test quantitative models, support software, and analytical tools
Write memos, reports, and other documents explaining their findings and recommendations for managers, executives, and other officials

Operations research analysts may be involved in many aspects of an organization. For example, they may help managers decide how to allocate resources, develop production schedules, oversee the supply chain, and set prices.

To begin a project, analysts first identify the problem to be solved or the processes to be improved. They typically collect data and interview clients, workers, or others involved in the business processes being examined.

Analysts then break down the problem into its various parts using statistical and database software and analytical techniques, such as forecasting and data mining. They also study the effect that different changes and circumstances would have on each of these parts. For example, to help an airline schedule flights and set ticket prices, analysts may take into account the cities involved, the amount and cost of fuel required, the expected number of passengers, the pilots’ schedules, and the maintenance costs.

Operations research analysts provide alternatives to pursuing different actions and may assist in achieving a consensus on how to proceed. They weigh the costs and benefits of alternative solutions or approaches in their recommendations to managers.

Work Environment

Operations research analysts held about 109,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of operations research analysts were as follows:

Professional, scientific, and technical services	25%
Finance and insurance	24
Management of companies and enterprises	9
Federal government	5
Manufacturing	5

Some operations research analysts in the federal government work for the Department of Defense, which also employs analysts through private consulting firms.

Operations research analysts spend much of their time in office settings. They may travel to gather information, observe business processes, work with clients, or attend conferences.

Work Schedules

Most operations research analysts work full time.

Getting Started

Education:

70%

Master's Degree

30%

Bachelor's Degree

How to Become an Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation.

Operations research analysts typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Some employers require or prefer that applicants have a master’s degree. Analysts may need a degree in operations research or a related field, such as applied mathematics.

Education

Operations research analysts typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, but some jobs require a master’s degree. Fields of degree may include operations research or a related field, such as business, mathematics, engineering, or computer science.

Because operations research is based on quantitative analysis, students need extensive coursework in mathematics. Coursework in computer science is important because analysts rely on statistical and database software to assess and model data.

Other Experience

Some operations research analysts are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Certain positions may require applicants to undergo a background check in order to obtain a security clearance.

Job Outlook

Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 23 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 9,800 openings for operations research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

As technology advances and companies and government agencies seek efficiency and cost savings, demand for operations research analysis should continue to grow. In addition, increasing demand should occur for these workers in the field of analytics to improve business planning and decision making.

Technological advances have made it faster and easier for organizations to get data. Operations research analysts manage and evaluate data to improve business operations, supply chains, pricing models, and marketing. In addition, improvements in analytical software have made operations research more affordable and applicable to a wider range of areas. More companies are expected to employ operations research analysts to help them turn data into information that managers use to make decisions about all aspects of their business.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about operations research analysts, visit

Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences

Military Operations Research Society

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Operations Research Analyst

What they do: