Essential OR Skills for Practitioners: Empower your Decision Making 

Develop a strong foundation in Operational Research (OR) by exploring problem structuring, data collection, analytics, modelling, and simulation. Gain insight into the typical OR problem-solving cycle. 

Why Does this Course Matter:

In fast-paced commercial settings, the ability to structure problems, assess evidence, and model scenarios leads to better planning, reduced risk, and sharper insight. This course provides practical methods that are immediately applicable to real challenges faced in operations, strategy, logistics, and policy analysis.

What Will I Learn: 

  • Clear definition of complex problems using structured techniques
  • Confident use of data and modelling methods, including simulation and machine learning basics
  • Communicate results for real-world impact across technical and non-technical audiences
  • Integration of soft and hard OR skills to improve strategic and operational decisions
  • Application of tools that support organisational change and improve decision quality

Course Topics:

  • Covers the full OR cycle: problem definition, modelling, evidence gathering, and communication
  • Learn how to apply both qualitative and quantitative techniques to address ambiguity
  • Use real examples to build fluency in tools like linear programming, cognitive mapping, system dynamics, and simulation
  • Gain an understanding of when to apply professional judgement and how to ensure analysis has impact
  • Develop strong presentation skills tailored to your audience's needs

Who is this course for:

  • Early-career professionals looking to enter or grow within the Operational Research (OR) field
  • Analysts transitioning from academic, scientific, engineering, or IT roles
  • Policy advisors and project managers working in data-rich or complex decision-making environments
  • Business and operations leaders aiming to improve planning and evidence-based strategy
  • Consultants who support public or private sector clients with analysis and decision support

Prices

  • OR Society Member £495 + VAT
  • Non-Member £625 + VAT
  • Student Member £370 + VAT
  • For group booking discounts please contact [email protected]

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Meet the Tutors

Mark Westcombe

Mark works as an independent consultant and trainer for attivation. He works principally with project teams in the early stages of project development. He works mostly as a facilitator using Cognitive Mapping and Soft Systems Methodology to negotiate feasible action plans with project teams.

He was previously a lecturer at Lancaster University, where he worked with Prof Peter Checkland and previously with Prof Colin Eden at Strathclyde University.

His clients have included the NHS, British Sugar, ShooSmiths, Swedish Dept of Trade, Dept of HE Indonesia, QinetiQ, Serious Organised Crime Agency, Royal Navy, Dstl, and GORS, amongst many others. His training focuses on transferring the skills inherent to project consultancy, analysis and facilitation.

Mark teaches SSM, Cognitive Mapping and facilitation courses for the OR Society and other clients. He has also held directorships in the Housing Industry and is currently an executive director of a non-profit.

Greg McCormick, FORS

Greg is a consultant and trainer with wide experience of Operational Research, particularly data analysis, modelling, simulation and optimisation. He worked initially in the Coal industry, then the Water industry, and the Highways Agency. His PhD was on optimisation under uncertainty.

Before he retired Greg was a Programme Director at the National School of Government, responsible for courses in analysis and use of evidence, statistics, research methods, and writing and briefing skills among other topics. Since then he has continued to design and run courses, particularly on Data Presentation and Foundation OR topics such as Modelling.

He is a Fellow of the OR Society.