What is Operational
Research: In a nutshell, operational research (O.R.) is the
discipline of applying appropriate analytical methods to help make better
decisions.
I have just taken up
the role as OR pro Bono Project Manager at The OR Society. Having worked in the 3rd sector
for 6 years and having never heard the term OR I can really see the need to
raise OR’s profile in the 3rd sector. My first exposure to OR was the OR55
conference in Exeter, what struck me most was how widely OR can be used in any
sector and the variety of OR techniques that can be applied. On the back of this I am extremely pleased to
be working for The OR Society and am looking forward to seeing the results of
the OR Pro Bono project.
The idea of
providing pro bono OR support to the third sector has been discussed among ORS
members for a number of years; a pilot scheme run by volunteers has been
successfully running since 2011. In my
new role I now aim to build on its current success and establish a
sustainable, thriving programme of voluntary OR support to the third sector.
The aim of OR Pro Bono
is to:
·
To help
third sector organisations to do a better job, impacting upon desired outcomes,
and build capacity by using the skills of volunteer OR analysts and consultants
both established and student.
·
To
promote awareness and understanding of the benefits of OR across the third
sector and to wider audiences.
·
To give
OR analysts an opportunity to practise in a wider arena and develop their knowledge
and skills.
The problems third sector organisations are faced with:
- ‘We have lots of different options for the future but it’s impossible to decide which to choose in such uncertain times.’
- ‘We’re under huge pressure to do more with less, and we don’t know how we’re going to do it.’
- ‘It’s hard to stay objective when we’re faced with such emotionally charged decisions.’
- ‘We know we’re doing a good job – but how can we prove it?’
We have already helped
several third sector organisations and are keen to work with many more.
If you work for a
third sector organisation, would like to discuss pro bono support or need more
information, please write to felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com quoting ‘OR in the Third Sector’.
Twitter: @FMcLeister
LinkedIn: Felicity McLeister
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