Management Science in Practice

Written for students studying management science / operational research, Management Science in Practice takes a fundamental look at what management science is and how it can be practiced in today's management environment. In doing so, it:

• Provides an underlying philosophy of how organisations operate and how analysts interact with organisations
• Describes the analysis toolbox used by Management Science professionals
• Covers multi-methodology, problem structuring techniques and analysis techniques
• Offers guidance about the practicalities of real-life consulting and focuses on the key practical skills needed

About This Book.

Part I: Management Science.

1 What Is Management Science?

2 Management Science Interventions.

Part II: Modelling Techniques.

3 Problem Structuring Methods.

4 Multi-Methodology.

5 Management Science Methods.

Part III: Practical Skills.

6 The Proposal Stage.

7 Data.

8 Appropriate Modelling.

9 Creativity.

10 Ancillary Practical Skills.

Part IV: Practice.

11 What Makes for Successful OR?

12 Ethics.

13 Reflective Practice.

The Final Note: The Future.

References.

Index.

Terry Williams is Professor of Management at Southampton University. He has over 25 years experience in the Management Science/Operational Research field. He is a frequent conference speaker, and has published widely in many academic and professional journals and books. As the business world becomes more competitive and multi-faceted, organizations need the support of effective and well-founded analysis more than ever. The profession of Management Science is growing worldwide and now could perhaps be said to underlie all other management disciplines. Meanwhile, the scope of situations analysed by the profession has broadened considerably to include more complex problems and to take account of the social, organizational and political ‘soft’ issues, as well as the ‘hard’ physical issues.

Management Science in Practice takes a fundamental look at what Management Science is and how it can be practiced in today’s management environment. In doing so, Terry Williams:

• provides an underlying philosophy of how organizations operate and how analysts interact with organizations
• describes the analysis toolbox used by Management Science professionals.
• covers multi-methodology, problem structuring techniques and analysis techniques
• offers guidance about the practicalities of real-life consulting and focuses on the key practical skills needed.

Management Science in Practice is a valuable resource for Management Science and Operational Research students. It is also intended for practitioners who seek to make analytical interventions in business management or those undertaking continuous professional development.