Page 14 - DCOM303_DMGT504_OPERATION_RESEARCH

Unit 1: Introduction to Operations Research

 Research and Development Notes
 Control of R&D projects,
 Reliability and evaluation of alternative designs,
 Determination of time and cost, etc.

Self Assessment

State true or false:

7. There is no unique set of problems which can be solved using OR models or techniques.
8. OR methods and techniques are only applicable to big enterprises.
9. OR can be applied in almost all disciplines of management such as marketing, finance,
HR, research and development.

Task Enlist the OR concepts that you applied while participating in managerial activities
in the organizations that you have been a part of in the past.

1.6 Models of Operations Research

When a problem or process under investigation is simplified and represented with its typical
features or characteristics, it is called as a model. The word ‘model’ has several meanings. All of
which are relevant to Operations Research. For example, a model can act as a substitute for
representing reality, such as small scale model locomotive or may act as some sort of idealization,
like a model plan for recruitment procedure, etc. Constructing a model helps in bringing the
complexities and possible uncertainties into a logical framework required for comprehensive
analysis. In fact the model acts as a vehicle in arriving at a well-structured view of reality. An
array of models can be seen in various business areas or industrial activities. The most relevant
for our study purpose are portrayed below:

1. Physical Models:
(a) Iconic Models
(b) Analogue Models
2. Symbolic Models:

(a) Verbal Models
(b) Mathematical Models:
(i) Deterministic Models
(ii) Probabilistic Models

3. Combined Analogue and Mathematical Models
4. Function Models
5. Heuristic Models
1. Physical Models: To deal with specific types of problems, models like diagrams, charts,
graphs and drawings are used, which are known as “Physical Models’. The schematic way
of representation of significant factors and interrelationship may be in a pictorial form

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