What is Operations Research? | Future Students | FAQ | NC State OR
Last Updated: 06/07/2022 and all information on this page is accurate and up-to-date
What is Operations Research? FAQ
Operations research (OR) is a discipline of problem-solving and decision-making that uses advanced analytical methods to helps management run an effective organization. Problems are broken down, analyzed and solved in steps.
- Identify a problem
- Build a model around the real world problem
- Use the model to arrive at solutions
- Test the solution and analyze its success
- Implement the solution
YES
- According to the Bureau of Labor, operations research employment is projected to grow 25 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- About 10,200 operations research openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
- Operation researcher practitioners are employed in a wide variety of industries including:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Banking
- Communications
- Consulting
- Health Care
- Insurance
- Petroleum
- Pharmaceuticals
- Transportation
- And much more
- Operation researcher practitioners have the luxury not to specialize. They can keep their options open. This makes them immune to the ups and downs of any individual industry.
Can’t find your answer? Please contact our Program Coordinator Linda Smith | lcsmith2@ncsu.edu | 919.515.2350.