Operations Research Analysts

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.

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Second Interest High-Point

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Third Interest High-Point

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

First Interest High-Point

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

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.

Desktop computers

Laptop computers

Mainframe computers

Personal computers

A mathematical programming language AMPL

Apache Hadoop

Apache Hive

Apache Pig

Apple macOS

Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge

Business Forecast Systems Forecast Pro

Cisco Systems IOS

Citrix

Claritas PRIZM NE

Dassault Systemes CATIA

Data entry software

ESRI ArcExplorer

ESRI ArcGIS software

Extensible markup language XML

FileMaker Pro

Fund accounting software

General algebraic modeling system GAMS

Geographic information system GIS software

Hewlett Packard HP-UX

Hyperion Solutions Hyperion Intelligence

IBM Cognos Impromptu

IBM Domino

IBM Notes

IBM Power Systems software

IBM SPSS Statistics

iGrafx

ILOG OPL-CPLEX Development System

Imagine That Extend OR

Insightful S-PLUS

Job control language JCL

LexisNexis

LINDO Systems LINGO

Linux

Mathsoft Mathcad

McAfee

Mesquite Software CSIM

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft MapPoint

Microsoft Office

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Microsoft SharePoint

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Microsoft Visio

Microsoft Visual Basic

Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript

Microsoft Word

MicroStrategy

Minitab

Mixed integer optimizer MINTO

MySQL

National Instruments LabVIEW

Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

Oracle E-Business Suite Financials

Oracle Eloqua

Oracle Hyperion

Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

Oracle PeopleSoft

Practical extraction and reporting language Perl

ProModel

Python

Qlik Tech QlikView

Rockwell Automation Arena

SAP Business Objects

SAP Crystal Reports

SAP PowerBuilder

Scala

Splunk Enterprise

Stanford Business Software MINOS

Stanford Business Software SNOPT

StataCorp Stata

Strategic Reporting Systems ReportSmith

Structured query language SQL

Sun Microsystems Java

Tableau

Telelogic System Architect

Teradata Database

The MathWorks MATLAB

The MathWorks Simulink

UNIX

Veritas NetBackup

Wireshark

Wolfram Research Mathematica

Associate Manager, Sales Insights Analytics

My collegiate academics were very aggressive and I was always the dumbest person in the room. Always. I thought I'd never be able to understand things my classmates seemed to intuitively know, or clearly communicate what I was even thinking.

Erica Martinez

Associate Manager, Sales Insights Analytics

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Numbers

Technology

Problem Solving

Recommended Education

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

Erica Martinez

Associate Manager, Sales Insights Analytics

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Numbers

Technology

Problem Solving

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

Related Leaders