operations research
nounUK /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənz rɪˈsɜːtʃ/
US /ˌɑːpəˈreɪʃənz rɪˈsɝːtʃ/
Using math and careful thinking to help people make the best choices.
The hospital used operations research to decide how many nurses to schedule each night.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A field of study that uses scientific methods to help organizations run better.
She earned a degree in operations research and now works for an airline.
3. The practice of solving business problems with mathematical models.
Operations research helped the delivery company plan shorter routes.
4. A way of finding the best plan among many possible options.
Through operations research, the factory cut its waiting times in half.