What is Operations Research? FAQ
Welcome to the What is Operations Research? FAQ. Get the answer to this and many other NC State Operations Research-related FAQs.
Last Updated: 08/07/2025 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date
What do operations research practitioners do?
The Simple Answer: Operations Research (OR) is a discipline of problem-solving and decision-making. It uses advanced analytical methods to help management run an effective organization. Problems are broken down, analyzed and solved in the following steps.
- Identify a problem
- Build a model around the real-world problem
- Use the model and data to arrive at solutions
- Test the solution and analyze its success
- Implement the solution
The Technical Answer: Operations Research, also known as management sciences, uses scientific methods to study systems that require human decision-making. Consequently, OR helps make the most effective systems design and operation decisions. Moreover, OR’s strength and versatility come from its diagnostic power through observation and modeling and its prescriptive power through analysis and synthesis.
Additionally, Operations Research is interdisciplinary, drawing on and contributing to techniques from many fields. These include mathematics, engineering, economics and physical sciences. Furthermore, OR practitioners have solved various real-world problems. These range from optimizing telecommunications networks to planning armed forces deployment
Can I get a job in operations research when I graduate?
YES
- The Bureau of Labor predicts that operations research jobs will grow by over 32% between 2022 and 2032. This growth rate is faster than the average for all other occupations.
- There will be about 10,200 new openings for operations researchers each year, on average, over the next decade.
What industries hire operations research engineers?
What industries hire operations researchers work in many industries, including:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Banking
- Communications
- Consulting
- Government
- Health Care
- Insurance
- Military
- Petroleum
- Pharmaceuticals
- Transportation
- And much more
Operations researchers do not need to specialize in one industry. They can keep their options open, making them immune to the ups and downs of any single industry.
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The CEO of the Future is an Engineer
Studies show three times as many S&P 500 CEOs hold degrees in engineering rather than business administration. This trend includes operations research practitioners among the next generation of engineers and scientists. They are tomorrow’s business leaders.
Operations Research Offers Workplace Freedom
Operations research practitioners have offices but also work in the settings they aim to improve. For example, when collecting data, they may observe restaurant staff or watch factory workers assembling parts. Additionally, when solving problems, they analyze data in an office. This combination of fieldwork and analysis creates a dynamic and flexible work environment.
The World Needs more Operations Research
As companies compete globally, the need for operations research practitioners grows. They are engineers trained to improve productivity and quality. Their common goal is saving companies money and increasing performance.
Operations Research is all about Options
Operations research practitioners work in almost any industry worldwide. They can work in and out of the office while interacting with people and processes they aim to improve. This flexibility gives them a career advantage over other types of engineers. Operations research practitioners don’t need to specialize, keeping their options open. Consequently, they remain immune to the ups and downs of any individual industry.