Bobbie Johnson describes algorithms as "jealously guarded mathematical recipes that increasingly dictate how we lead our lives". What he's actually describing is operational research - the discipline of applying appropriate, often advanced, analytical methods to help make better decisions. Executives in every kind of organisation - from two-person start-ups to FTSE 100 leaders - are using OR to structure their problems, unlock the value of their data, model complex problems and make better decisions with less risk and better outcomes. Some real-world examples of how OR techniques can help managers take better, bolder decisions can be found at scienceofbetter.co.uk
Graham Sharp
Operational Research Society
Mind you I'm not particularly proud of the "science of better" tag but that came from the American body and was adopted as the global slogan for OR.
