Optimisation and (Meta-) Heuristics
A practical introduction to the most used methodologies in OR, linear programming and optimisation.
Why Does this Course Matter:
Optimisation helps organisations get the most from limited resources—whether it’s cost, time, staff, or materials. This course offers practical tools that professionals can immediately apply to improve decision-making. From transport planning to staff rostering, the skills learned are highly transferable across sectors.
What Will I Learn:
- Understanding of how optimisation methods can solve real-world problems
- Ability to model and solve linear programs using tools like Excel Solver
- Skills to define decision variables, objective functions, and constraints clearly
- Awareness of when to apply different optimisation techniques, including heuristics
- Capacity to evaluate solutions and apply sensitivity analysis to test assumptions
Course Topics:
- Learn to structure and solve linear programs for practical challenges
- Use Excel Solver to apply optimisation methods without needing complex software
- Explore applications in transport, manufacturing, and public services
- Gain an introduction to metaheuristics as flexible, real-world alternatives to exact methods
- Understand how to interpret and evaluate optimisation results for confident decision-making
Who is this course for:
- New or aspiring Operational Researchers seeking hands-on optimisation skills
- Analysts and managers in industries such as transport, health, energy, or logistics
- Professionals with limited exposure to modelling or programming methods
- Teams needing accessible tools for improving planning and resource use
- Anyone ready to apply optimisation principles to achieve better outcomes in complex scenario
Related courses
- Data Envelopment Analysis
- Statistical Methods in OR: Multivariate Statistics
- Follow on to Forecasting: ARIMA modelling for forecasting
Related Courses
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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Registration
Last day to register is 10/11/2026