Operational Research Specialist

Overview

As an operational research specialist, you’ll collaborate with businesses across various industries to assist them in making informed decisions at strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Using advanced analytical techniques, your role involves delving into complex problems and providing recommendations for improvement. Throughout your apprenticeship in operational research, you’ll propose changes and support their implementation.

You’ll work within a team alongside operational and policy experts and managers in your day-to-day tasks. You’ll also engage with specialists such as economists, data scientists, social scientists, and accountants. Your responsibilities may include overseeing and conducting analyses, meeting with clients, managing projects, and delegating tasks. Effective communication skills are crucial as you’ll need to provide unbiased advice and recommendations and highlight associated risks. Job titles in this field may vary, including analytics specialist, management scientist, or operational analyst.

What You’ll Do

• Work with clients to understand their problems and needs, breaking down complex real-life issues into clear questions that can be addressed using available data and modelling techniques.
•  Use various methods, formal and informal, to grasp the workings of organisational systems and processes involving clients, experts, and other stakeholders.
• Apply knowledge of client issues and organisational context to select the right problem-solving methods from Operational Research tailored to specific situations.
• Analyse problems using Operational Research methods, adapting them as necessary to suit client requirements while being aware of their limitations.
• Identify available data to solve problems, ensuring compliance with data protection principles, and manipulate it effectively.
• Establish and uphold quality standards for their work and that of others involved in analysis.
• Communicate analysis findings and recommendations clearly to clients and other audiences, highlighting both strengths and limitations of the analysis and data used.
• Manage projects, budgets, and staff involved in operational research endeavours.
• Stay updated on advancements in Operational Research and enhance managerial, networking, and leadership skills.
• Explore and promote new opportunities for applying Operational Research techniques and sharing best practices internally and externally.

What You’ll Learn

• Understanding Complex Problems: Learn how to effectively choose and use various methods to tackle complex issues.
• Defining Client Needs: Figure out how to turn client requirements into clear questions for analysis.
• Structured Problem Solving: Compare formal and informal methods for organising and solving problems.
• Data Collection: Understand how to find and gather useful data, considering its sources, scope, and limitations.
• Data Management: Learn how to effectively handle, examine, and organise raw data.
• Exploring Data: Dive into data analysis techniques, discovering relationships and assessing quality.
• Operational Research Techniques: Explore a range of techniques like optimisation, machine learning, and simulation, understanding their strengths and weaknesses.
• Software Solutions: Evaluate various software options for operational research analysis.
• Model Development: Develop models and conduct analysis using spreadsheets and programming languages.
• Team Roles: Understand the role of operational research teams within organisations.
• External Factors: Consider external influences on client analysis, like politics and social factors.
• Organisational Behavior: Learn about how organisations function and change and its impact on operational research.
• Ethical Considerations: Understand ethical principles related to operational research and ensure compliance.
• Regulatory Impact: Consider how regulations and contracts affect operational research practices.
• Data Protection: Learn about implementing data protection laws within organisations.
• Networking: Utilise internal and external networks for expertise in operational research questions.
• Client Relationships: Manage client relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Project Management: Understand project management principles for successful execution.
• Reporting Findings: Translate findings into client-focused reports and presentations.
• Impact of Operational Research: Explore how operational research shapes society.
• Personal Development: Learn techniques for personal and professional growth.
• Colleague Support: Provide and receive feedback to support colleagues’ professional development.
• Team Dynamics: Understand team dynamics for creating and leading effective teams.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure model quality through validation, verification, and documentation.
• Balancing Client Needs and Requirements: Find the balance between client needs and legal or policy requirements.