Introductory description

The module equips students with the skills to conduct analytical / OR projects in
organisations, with an emphasis on practical aspects. Alongside some 'technical',
numbers-based content, the module explores the 'soft' tools needed to make analytical
projects succeed by aligning analysis with business aims. In this context, students develop
basic skills in problem structuring methods (PSMs) to allow them to assume an holistic
perspective. Students are asked to critically evaluate the impact of real-world analytical
projects and to develop their critical thinking and logical reasoning skills to this end.
Students are expected to work collaboratively and the group work elements includes work
on a modelling project.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Students are introduced to the field of Operational Research with emphasis on recent developments in the area of Analytics. A
collection of qualitative (Problem Structuring) and quantitative methods are introduced including:

• Systems Thinking;
• Problem Structuring Methods;
• Causal Mapping;
• Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)
• Spreadsheet Modelling;

The module will focus on a selection of methods; this selection may vary from year to year. The critique of an Operational Research/Analytics project is also covered on the module.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the practical issues involved in undertaking OR / analytical projects in the real world
• Understand the stages of an OR / analytical project.
• Understand how to apply soft and hard OR tools to real-world problems.
• Critically evaluate impact of real-world OR / analytical projects
• Argue for or against / justify a particular approach to an organizational problem
• Solve quantitative problems using spreadsheet models
• Think innovatively / creatively about organizational problems using PSMs

Indicative reading list

Gifford T, Gremley R (2019) ‘Chassis Leasing and Selection Policy for Port Operations’. INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics 49(4):239-248
Hindle, G and Vidgen, R (2018) ‘Developing a business analytics methodology: A case study in the foodbank sector’, European Journal of Operational Research, 268 (3)
Jackson, M (2019) Critical Systems Thinking And The Management Of Complexity, Chichester: Wiley.
Pidd, M. (2009) Tools for Thinking: modelling in Management Science (3rd ed.), Chichester: Wiley.
Rosenhead, J. and Mingers, J. (2001) Rational Analysis for a Problematic World Revisited: problem structuring methods for complexity, uncertainty and conflict (2nd ed.), Chichester: Wiley.
Wasserkrug S, Krüger M, Feldman YA, Shindin E, Zeltyn S (2019) ‘What’s Wrong with My Dishwasher: Advanced Analytics
Improve the Diagnostic Process for Miele Technicians’. INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics 49(5):384-396

Subject specific skills

Think critically, holistically and creatively about organizational situations; specific technical skills such as problem structuring (eg. with rich picturing), quantitative modelling (eg. with spreadsheet modelling), and qualitative modelling (eg. with Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)).

Transferable skills

Individual working, group working, presentation skills, IT skills, spreadsheet modelling skills, time management, inter-cultural working.