How can you ensure that your research meets the needs of stakeholders in operations research?

1 Understand the problem

Before you start your research, you need to understand the problem that you are trying to solve and the context in which it occurs. This means asking questions, listening to the stakeholders, and clarifying their goals, constraints, and preferences. You also need to define the scope, objectives, and criteria of your research, and agree on them with the stakeholders. A clear problem statement can help you avoid confusion, ambiguity, and conflict later on.

2 Choose the right methods

OR offers a variety of methods, such as mathematical modeling, simulation, optimization, and data analysis, to address different types of problems. You need to choose the methods that are appropriate for your problem, your data, and your stakeholders. You also need to justify your choices and explain how they work, what assumptions they make, and what limitations they have. You should be transparent and honest about the strengths and weaknesses of your methods, and be open to feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders.

3 Communicate effectively

Communication is essential for any OR project, as it helps you share your findings, recommendations, and insights with the stakeholders. You need to communicate effectively, using clear, concise, and relevant language, and avoiding technical jargon and acronyms. You also need to tailor your communication to the audience, using different formats, such as reports, presentations, graphs, or dashboards, depending on their level of expertise, interest, and involvement. You should also invite questions, comments, and opinions from the stakeholders, and acknowledge their contributions and concerns.

4 Collaborate productively

Collaboration is another key skill for any OR project, as it helps you leverage the knowledge, experience, and perspectives of the stakeholders. You need to collaborate productively, using tools and platforms that facilitate information sharing, coordination, and feedback. You also need to establish roles and responsibilities, set expectations and deadlines, and monitor progress and performance. You should also foster a positive and respectful relationship with the stakeholders, based on trust, mutual understanding, and appreciation.

5 Evaluate the impact

Finally, you need to evaluate the impact of your research on the problem and the stakeholders. You need to measure and report the outcomes, benefits, and costs of your research, using quantitative and qualitative indicators. You also need to assess and address the risks, uncertainties, and ethical issues that may arise from your research. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback from the stakeholders, and identify opportunities for improvement and learning.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?