Operations Research Analysts

Go Back

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods using a computer to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May develop related software, service, or products. Frequently concentrates on collecting and analyzing data and developing decision support software. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

tasks jobzones knowledge skills abilities work_activities work_context interests work_styles work_values

Tasks

  • Develop business methods and procedures, including accounting systems, file systems, office systems, logistics systems, and production schedules.

  • Develop and apply time and cost networks in order to plan, control, and review large projects.

  • Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.

  • Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the parts of component problems, using a variety of sources.

  • Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.

  • Break systems into their component parts, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.

  • Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.

  • Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action in order to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.

  • Collaborate with senior managers and decision-makers to identify and solve a variety of problems, and to clarify management objectives.

  • Define data requirements; then gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.

Back to top

Job Zone

  • Name: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

  • Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

  • Education: A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

  • Job training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

  • Examples: These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, physicists, school psychologists, and surgeons.

  • Svp range: (8.0 and above)

Back to top

Knowledge

Browse Knowledge

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

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

  • Engineering and Technology
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

  • Administration and Management
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

  • Production and Processing
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

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

  • Education and Training
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • Economics and Accounting
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

  • Design
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • Sales and Marketing
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Back to top

Skills

Browse Skills

  • Mathematics
    Using mathematics to solve problems.

  • Operations Analysis
    Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

  • Reading Comprehension
    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Systems Analysis
    Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

  • Complex Problem Solving
    Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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

  • Judgment and Decision Making
    Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

  • Active Learning
    Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Programming
    Writing computer programs for various purposes.

  • Systems Evaluation
    Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Back to top

Abilities

Browse Abilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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).

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

  • 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.

Back to top

Work Activities

Browse Work Activities Back to top

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
    How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

  • Spend Time Sitting
    How much does this job require sitting?

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
    How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

  • Telephone
    How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

  • Structured versus Unstructured Work
    To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

  • Freedom to Make Decisions
    How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
    How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
    How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?

  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

  • Work With Work Group or Team
    How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Back to top

Interests

Browse Interests

  • Investigative
    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.

  • Conventional
    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.

  • Realistic
    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.

  • Enterprising
    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.

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

  • Artistic
    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.

Back to top

Work Styles

  • Analytical Thinking
    Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

  • Attention to Detail
    Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

  • Integrity
    Job requires being honest and ethical.

  • Achievement/Effort
    Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

  • Initiative
    Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

  • Innovation
    Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

  • Persistence
    Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

  • Independence
    Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

  • Dependability
    Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

  • Adaptability/Flexibility
    Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Back to top

Work Values

Browse Work Values

  • Autonomy
    Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.

  • Ability Utilization
    Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.

  • Independence-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Creativity
    Workers on this job try out their own ideas.

  • Responsibility
    Workers on this job make decisions on their own.

  • Achievement-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

  • Working Conditions
    Workers on this job have good working conditions.

  • Company Policies and Practices
    Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.

  • Achievement
    Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.

  • Compensation
    Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers.

Back to top




Email This Page!




Job Search