Operational researcher

Operational research practitioners investigate a wide range of management problems. By using logical and analytical problem-solving approaches, they help organisations to find more efficient ways to do things, reduce costs, provide better customer service and improve the quality of products. They provide help both with immediate problems and longer-term strategies.

Also known as:

Analyst – operational research
Management scientist

Work activities

Operational research (OR) is the discipline of applying advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions. Although invisible, the influence of OR is all around us in just about everything we do. Most everyday activities, such as shopping, visiting the doctor or flying away on a holiday, have OR “inside” them. Operational researchers usually start by trying to define problems. This is often a difficult process and tackled by the use of “soft” methods. Soft OR uses logical rather than numerical analysis. The end result is often a diagram giving a pictorial representation of the problem. Next, operational researchers analyse the problem. To do this, they draw on analytical technologies including:

Simulation: Giving you the ability to try out approaches and test ideas for improvement.
Optimisation: Narrowing your choices to the very best, when there are many feasible options and comparing them is very difficult.
Probability and statistics: Helping you to measure risk, choose relevant data to find valuable connections and insights, test conclusions and make reliable forecasts.

These analytical techniques will typically call for large amounts of data and could, for example, involve the use of statistical techniques, the use of spreadsheets, or the creation of a visual, interactive computer model giving an animated representation of the system being studied. The aim could be to find practical solutions that can be recommended to management, or to provide management with tools that they can use to experiment and which will show them the effects of a number of different decisions.

Operational researchers use their skills in many different situations. For example, they might:

Help a supermarket to decide where to locate a new superstore or distribution centre.
Calculate the different prices to charge for seats on an aircraft months before the flight and then up to the date of the flight.
Work for an online retailer, using mathematical models to make customer deliveries as efficient as possible.
Plan how to re-route a bus service.
Help a football stadium designer to ensure that crowds of spectators flow safely to and from the stadium.
Help to reduce waiting times in hospital outpatient clinics.

Operational researchers work with people at all levels throughout an organisation. They might interview them to find out their needs, concerns and opinions, as well as collecting and analysing data about what they do. At the end of the project, operational researchers present their reports to company directors or senior managers and recommend any changes. Operational researchers can also play a very important role in putting into practice the ideas and solutions they have suggested. Some travel could be involved on particular projects. Self-employed consultants might combine operational research with other business analysis services for their clients.

Personal qualities and skills

To work in operational research, you’ll need to:

Enjoy solving problems.
Have a logical, methodical and analytical mind.
Be able to write clear, concise, objective reports.
Cope with pressure, as you will often have to work to strict deadlines.
Be creative and imaginative, to think up several solutions to a problem.
Be able to explain complex ideas and information to non-technical colleagues.

You should have:

Strong mathematical and statistical skills.
The ability to use computers, for example, to construct models, and to be an expert user of spreadsheets and databases. Programming skills are usually needed.
A good awareness of how organisations work.
Negotiating skills and persuasive abilities to present the case for your suggestions.
Project management skills.
Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with people at all levels throughout an organisation.
The ability to see the overall picture, as well as paying close attention to detail.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Salaries for operational research analysts are around £23,000 - £60,000 with experience. Benefits could include performance-related bonuses. Some employees might be offered a starting bonus (“golden hello”) when joining particular employers.

Operational researchers usually work standard office hours, Monday to Friday. However, you must be flexible and prepared to work some evenings and weekends and spend long or short periods away from home.

Employers include retailers, telecommunications providers, the NHS, universities, manufacturing companies, financial institutions, service providers, and local and central government departments. The Government Operational Research Service is a major employer, with around 400 operational researchers working in different departments and agencies of the Civil Service. Opportunities for operational researchers occur in cities and some towns around the UK.

Opportunities occur for experienced operational researchers to work on a freelance, self-employed basis.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on the Operational Research Society (OR Society) website, on specialist job boards, and in national newspapers and professional journals. Vacancies for the Government Operational Research Service are advertised on its website.

Entry routes and training

Almost all entrants are graduates. There are some specialist degrees containing operational research (OR), usually in combination with subjects such as computing, mathematics, statistics and decision science or management science. Many employers ask for a 2:1 degree or higher. Many entrants have a postgraduate qualification. There are postgraduate diplomas and MSc courses in operational research, decision sciences and management science. A range of numerate degree subjects might be acceptable, especially maths, statistics, economics, engineering, computer studies, physics, operations management and certain numerate social sciences, such as psychology.

It might be possible to apply to the Government Operational Research Service through the Civil Service Operational Research Fast Stream. People with non-mathematical degrees usually need A-level maths.

An alternative to the traditional university route is to do a level 7 (degree) apprenticeship, where you will carry out most of your training on the job straight after A-levels/equivalent, while studying at university on block or day release.

Some employers have graduate training schemes, which might include the opportunity to study towards an MSc on a part-time basis. The OR Society has an accreditation scheme. A graduate member with relevant OR experience can apply to become an Associate. The Society also runs short training courses in specific topics so that members can keep up to date with OR techniques.

It is quite common for operational researchers to move into very senior level management careers, having had an overview and understanding of how organisations operate.

Qualifications

For entry to a relevant degree course, the usual academic entry requirements are:

Two to three A-levels.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects, including English and maths.

Entry to a mathematics-based degree course is also usually with an A-level in maths. For many maths and statistics degrees, you will need a grade A in Maths at A-level. Alternatives to A-levels include the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

To do a degree apprenticeship, you’ll need:

Two relevant A-levels.
GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Entrants usually have skills in maths, management, computing and/or statistics.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges. Part-time degrees are available in subjects related to operational research such as computing, maths and statistics.

A range of universities offer degree and postgraduate courses in maths, computing and statistics by distance learning.

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