Operations Research Analysts

Also called: Advanced Analytics Associate, Analytical Strategist, Analytics Consultant, Business Analyst, Business Operations Analyst

jobs advertised

courses available

Varies

estimated salary

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.

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.
Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
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.
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.
Define data requirements and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
Observe the current system in operation and gather and analyze information about each of the parts of component problems, using a variety of sources.
Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.
Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.
Educate staff in the use of mathematical models.
Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.
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.

Work Context

Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 100% responded "Every day".
Freedom to Make Decisions — 75% responded "A lot of freedom".
Spend Time Sitting — 64% responded "Continually or almost continually".
Face-to-Face Discussions — 65% responded "Every day".
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 55% responded "A lot of freedom".
Telephone — 60% responded "Every day".

Work Activities

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

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.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

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.

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.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Detailed Work Activities

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.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Number Facility

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

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).

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 there is a problem.

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.

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).

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self Control

You might use software like this on the job:

Object or component oriented development software

Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
Scala
Python
R
C++
Swift
SAP PowerBuilder
Sun Microsystems Java
Jupyter Notebook

Data base user interface and query software

Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft Access
MySQL
Amazon Redshift
Data entry software
Structured query language SQL
FileMaker Pro

Project management software

Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Project

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Operations Research Analysts

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