26 Key Attributes Operations Research Analysts Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Noah Smith

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Operations research analysts formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. They may also collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, service, or products. They may also develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

The core tasks that operations research analysts are likely to carry out include:

Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.
Define data requirements and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy and reformulate models as necessary.
Develop and apply time and cost networks to plan, control, and review large projects.
Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that operations research analysts would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 97%

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 95.6%

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 92.4%

Having a strong preference for investigative work environments. Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 90.43%

Establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 89.6%

Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 88.2%

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 88.2%

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 85%

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 85%

Using mathematics to solve problems.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 85%

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 85%

Persistence in the face of obstacles.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.4%

A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.4%

Being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.4%

Being honest and ethical.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 83%

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 82.4%

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 82.4%

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 82.4%

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 80%

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 80%

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 80%

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%