Kuluah Riset Operasional 1 - Konsep Dasar Riset Operasional

Summary

The lecture on Operational Research (OR) provides an introduction to its applications in decision-making, particularly in business. It emphasizes quantitative methods, leveraging mathematical and statistical concepts, for optimal resource allocation. The history of OR is traced back to ancient Rome and World War II, highlighting its evolution into a scientific field that addresses complex organizational challenges. The lecture also outlines OR applications in finance, marketing, production, and more. Through OR, businesses can improve efficiency, maximize profits, and minimize costs, with tools like calculators and software to aid in data processing and problem-solving.

Takeaways

• 📚 The course 'Operational Research' focuses on quantitative techniques used for decision-making, often involving mathematical and statistical concepts.
• 🧮 Students are expected to become comfortable with numbers and calculations, using tools like calculators or software such as Microsoft Excel or GAM.
• 🌐 Despite not being a mathematics major, the course will make students familiar with mathematical and statistical concepts.
• 🔍 The course aims to develop competencies in understanding decision-making issues, explaining strategic theories, and solving problems related to decision-making in companies or organizations.
• 📈 Historically, Operational Research has been used since ancient times, including by Archimedes during the Roman era for naval blockades.
• 🚀 During World War I, FW Lanchester used Operational Research to analyze the mathematical relationships between the strengths of warring parties.
• 🏛️ The term 'Operational Research' was first used during World War II, particularly for the allocation of limited resources by the US and UK.
• 🏫 Operational Research began to be taught in universities such as MIT in the late 1940s, followed by others like University College London.
• 🏢 The application of Operational Research has expanded into various fields, including accounting, marketing, production, and transportation, to optimize limited resources.
• 🔄 Operational Research is considered both a science and an art, aiming to solve complex problems by directing and controlling systems related to human activities.
• 🛠️ The process of solving problems using Operational Research involves formulating the problem, creating a mathematical model, finding a solution, testing the model and solution, and implementing the results.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the Operational Research course mentioned in the script?

The primary focus of the Operational Research course is to teach quantitative techniques used as the foundation for decision-making, emphasizing the use of mathematics and statistics to solve operational problems in companies or organizations.

Why are tools like calculators, Microsoft Excel, and POM-QM software emphasized in this course?

These tools are emphasized because the course involves significant mathematical and statistical calculations. Using calculators and software like Microsoft Excel and POM-QM helps streamline the decision-making process and saves time by automating calculations, which would be time-consuming if done manually.

What historical examples of Operational Research are mentioned in the script?

Historical examples include Archimedes’ analysis during the Roman era to resist a naval blockade and F.W. Lanchester's mathematical analysis of military forces during World War I. Operational research was also used by the U.S. and British militaries during World War II to maximize limited resources.

What are the three competencies expected of students after completing this course?

Students are expected to: 1) Understand key issues and developments in decision-making processes, 2) Comprehend the basic concepts and comprehensive studies of decision theory, and 3) Use decision theory applications, like POM-QM, to solve decision-making problems in organizations.

What is the role of Operational Research in the field of production?

In production, Operational Research is used to determine the most economical raw materials, minimize inventory levels, balance assembly lines, and increase manufacturing efficiency.

How has the use of Operational Research evolved in industry since the 1950s?

Since the 1950s, Operational Research has expanded significantly in industries, especially in the U.S. and the UK. It now plays a crucial role in optimizing resource usage, improving decision-making, and increasing productivity in various sectors like finance, marketing, production, and logistics.

Why is the use of Operational Research compared to a scientific method?

Operational Research is compared to a scientific method because it involves applying systematic, quantitative techniques and mathematical models to analyze complex problems and identify optimal solutions in operations and decision-making processes.

What are the key steps involved in solving a problem using Operational Research?

The key steps are: 1) Observing the problem, 2) Identifying the problem, 3) Constructing a mathematical model, 4) Finding solutions using the model, and 5) Implementing the solutions.

What is the significance of resource limitations in the context of Operational Research?

Resource limitations are central to Operational Research because it focuses on maximizing output or minimizing costs by optimizing the use of limited resources, whether in wartime, business, or industrial settings.

How does Operational Research contribute to decision-making in modern companies?

Operational Research provides tools and methods for analyzing complex scenarios and making data-driven decisions, improving productivity, resource allocation, marketing strategies, financial management, and operational efficiency in modern companies.