It clearly directs that Operations Research can also be considered as applied science and before the course of action is decided, the alternatives available are subjected to scientific analysis and optimal alternative is selected. This definition is more elaborate than the above given definitions.
But this suggests that executives can use scientific methods for decision-making. But does not give any information about various models or methods. This definition suggests that the Operations Research provides scientific methods for an executive to make optimal decisions. It uses any scientific, mathematical or logical means to attempt to cope with problems that confront the executive, when he tries to achieve a thorough going rationally in dealing with his decision problem. Operations Research is applied decision theory.
Operations Research is the use of Scientific Methods to provide criteria or decisions regarding man-machine systems involving repetitive operations. Operations Research is the application of the theories of Probability, Statistics, Queuing, Games, Linear Programming etc., to the problems of War, Government and Industry. Operations Research is the application of scientific methods, techniques and tools to operation of a system with optimum solution to the problem. Operations Research is study of administrative system pursued in the same scientific manner in which system in Physics, Chemistry and Biology are studied in natural sciences. Operations Research is defined as Scientific method for providing executive departments a quantitative basis for decisions regarding the operations under their control.
This definition does not give anything in clear about the subject of Operations Research and simply says that it is research in to operations. But if the decisions are made on scientific basis, it will help us to make better decisions. It says that if the decisions are made on guesswork, we may face the worse situation. This definition covers one aspect of decision-making, i.e., choosing the best alternative among the list of available alternatives. It means to say that the directions for fighting are planned and guidance is given from remote area, according to which the war is fought and won. This definition does not throw any light on the subject matter, but it is oriented towards warfare. Operations Research is Research into Operations. Operations Research is the art of giving bad answers to problems where otherwise worse answers are given. Operations Research is the art of winning wars without actually fighting. Important definitions are discussed below. The subject operation researchis a branch of mathematics - specially applied mathematics, used to provide a scientific base for management to take timely and effective decisions to their problems. Always a definition explains what that particular subject matter is. It includes among others, optimization techniques, dynamic programming, data analysis including statistics, decision theory, simulation and planning theory.Introduction:Any subject matter when defined to explain what exactly it is, we may find one definition. Now, largely overlapping with systems analysis. Originally, the use of quantitative techniques in the domain of decision making in management, government, industry and in the military. Thepurpose is to help management determine its policy and actionsscientifically. Its distinctive approach is to develop a scientificmodel of the system, incorporating measurements of factors suchas change and risk, with which to predict and compare theoutcomes of alternative decisions, strategies or controls. It was defined by the Operational ResearchSociety of Great Britain as follows (OPERATIONAL RESEARCHQUARTERLY, l3(3): 282, l962): Operational research is theattack of modern science on complex problems arising in thedirection and management of large systems of men, machines,materials and money in industry, business, government anddefense. Historically, it was a narrower area ofactivity that stressed quantitative methods and did not concernitself with TRADEOFFS between objectives and means or withproblems of equity. OPERATIONS RESEARCHOperations research (operational researchin Britain) as understood today is essentially identical to systems analysis. Web Dictionary of Cybernetics and Systems.