You're managing a team in operations research. What are the most important things to consider?

1 Define the problem and scope

The first step in any OR project is to clearly define the problem and the scope of the project. You need to understand the objectives, constraints, assumptions, and criteria of the problem, as well as the expectations and requirements of the client and the stakeholders. You also need to establish the boundaries and limitations of the project, such as the budget, timeline, data availability, and ethical issues. By defining the problem and scope, you can avoid ambiguity, confusion, and scope creep, and ensure that your team is aligned and focused on the same goal.

3 Manage the data and analysis

The third step is to manage the data and analysis that are essential for the OR project. You need to ensure that the data are reliable, relevant, and sufficient for the problem and the methods. You also need to ensure that the analysis are accurate, rigorous, and transparent for the results and the recommendations. You need to oversee the data collection, cleaning, processing, and validation processes, as well as the analysis design, implementation, and validation processes. You need to check for errors, inconsistencies, and biases in the data and analysis, and address them accordingly.

4 Communicate the results and recommendations

The final step is to communicate the results and recommendations of the OR project to the client and the stakeholders. You need to present the results and recommendations in a clear, concise, and convincing manner, using appropriate visualizations, tables, charts, and reports. You also need to explain the assumptions, limitations, and implications of the results and recommendations, and answer any questions or concerns that may arise. You need to tailor your communication style and format to the audience and the context, and use simple and non-technical language whenever possible.

5 Collaborate and coordinate with your team

Throughout the OR project, you need to collaborate and coordinate with your team members, who may have different backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. You need to foster a culture of trust, respect, and feedback among your team members, and encourage them to share their ideas, opinions, and insights. You also need to assign roles and responsibilities, set goals and expectations, monitor progress and performance, and provide support and guidance. You need to leverage the strengths and diversity of your team, and address any conflicts or challenges that may arise.

6 Manage the deadlines and deliverables

Another important thing to consider when managing an OR team is to manage the deadlines and deliverables of the project. You need to plan and schedule the tasks and milestones of the project, and allocate the time and resources accordingly. You also need to track and report the status and outcomes of the project, and communicate any changes or issues that may affect the deadlines and deliverables. You need to ensure that the deadlines and deliverables are realistic, achievable, and aligned with the client and the stakeholders' expectations.

7 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?