What is operations research, and why is it important?

Operations research is the use of statistical analysis and mathematical optimization techniques to help organizations solve problems and improve decision-making. The ability to harness vast amounts of data on day-to-day operations has created opportunities to rigorously optimize processes for cost, quality control, inventory management, and other goals, making operations research an important part of many businesses. The tools of operations research are similar to those of other fields relying heavily on quantitative analysis and statistics. Operational data is input into programs such as Microsoft Excel and Solver, R, and Python, where mathematical optimization techniques such as linear programming (LP) are applied to find the best solution for business problems. Monte Carlo simulations and other probabilistic analyses may also be used to discover areas of sensitivity and risk. These data-driven insights are typically applied according to process management and process improvement frameworks such as Six Sigma and Lean, which strive to reduce variation and eliminate waste in operations.

What kinds of careers can I have with a background in operations research?

Operations research is a core competency of careers in operations management, supply chain management, and logistics. This skill is particularly highly valued by businesses in manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and other industries where companies must compete to deliver goods and services with complex supply chains in cost-sensitive markets. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , operations research analysts earned a median annual salary of $84,810 in 2019. These jobs are also expected to grow much faster than jobs in the rest of the economy, due to the explosive growth in the availability of operations data along with the increasing importance of adopting these data-driven approaches to remain competitive in many industries. Operations research analysts typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in technical and quantitative fields such as engineering, computer science, analytics, or mathematics, as few schools offer degrees in operations research specifically.

Can I learn about operations research by taking online courses available on Coursera?

Certainly. Coursera offers courses and Specializations on operations research and related topics such as supply chain and operations management, operational analytics, and statistical research. Offered by excellent schools such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Melbourne, and Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, these courses give you the opportunity to learn remotely on a flexible schedule and a lower tuition than on-campus students. Whether you’re a student or mid-career professional looking to add new skills to your repertoire, Coursera gives you the opportunity to optimize your operations research education to fit your specific needs.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn operations research?

The skills and experience that you might need to already have before starting to learn operations research may include knowledge of mathematical and engineering methods, understanding of the fundamentals of business, and some background in linear programming, a math technique to solve systems of linear constraints. All of these can help you fully grasp the basics of operations research. Furthermore, having a background that includes computer algorithms and optimization techniques can help you to better analyze optimization problems in computer science, civil engineering, economics, and management. This multifaceted field is also linked with machine learning, as some operations researchers are sampling machine learning methods to test various metrics in a particular optimization process.

What kind of people are best suited for work that involves operations research?

The kind of people who are best suited for operations research work are often quantitative thinkers who are detailed and analytical. These people use mathematics formulas to help companies study labor needs, cost scenarios, product distribution, and other factors. In doing this work, they need to be curious, methodical, rational, and logical. Because operations researchers understand how algorithms, math, and statistics may impact workflows, budgets, employee staffing, and profitability, they also tend to be the kind of people who are investigative in nature, using their intellect and curiosity in the work.

How do I know if learning operations research is right for me?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Operations Research, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Operations Research Courses - Learn Operations Research Online

Explore the Operations Research Course Catalog

Google Cloud
MLOps with Vertex AI: Model Evaluation - 繁體中文
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
MLOps with Vertex AI: Model Evaluation - 한국어
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
MLOps with Vertex AI: Model Evaluation - Português
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Indian Statistical Institute
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Basic Descriptive Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Correlation And Dependence, Data Analysis, General Statistics
Postgraduate Diploma · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Business Analytics Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Accounting, Leadership and Management, Financial Accounting, Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Management, Business Analysis, Critical Thinking, General Accounting, Decision Making, Data Analysis, Marketing, Strategy, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Market Analysis, Strategy and Operations, Taxes, Management Accounting, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Risk Management, Regulations and Compliance, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Cost Accounting, Account Management, Problem Solving, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Corporate Accouting, Market Research, Statistical Programming, Data Management, Exploratory Data Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Business Process Management, Marketing Management, Digital Marketing, Media Strategy & Planning, Banking, Planning, Audit, Cash Management, Leadership Development, Statistical Analysis, Performance Management, Business Intelligence, Business Psychology, Python Programming, Securities Trading, Business Communication, Business Development, Organizational Development, Culture, Customer Analysis, Behavioral Economics, Creativity, General Statistics, Process Analysis, Professional Development, Sales, Social Media, Advertising, Brand Management, Influencing, R Programming, Interactive Data Visualization, Business Transformation, Correlation And Dependence, Customer Relationship Management, Operational Analysis, Product Management, Business Design, Project Management, Conflict Management, Data Analysis Software, Human Learning, People Analysis, People Management, Regression, Research and Design, Statistical Machine Learning, Advertising Sales, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Big Data, Budget Management, Change Management, Data Model, Emotional Intelligence, Plot (Graphics), Negotiation, Data Visualization Software, Innovation, Operations Management, Probability Distribution, Statistical Tests, Storytelling, Benefits, Collaboration, Computer Programming, Employee Relations, Securities Sales, Adaptability, Data Structures, Algorithms, Contract Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Research, Compensation, Human Resources, User Research, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Databases, Entrepreneurial Finance, Forecasting, Game Theory, Visual Design, Design and Product, Supply Chain and Logistics, Econometrics, SQL, Theoretical Computer Science, BlockChain, Data Architecture, Microsoft Excel, People Analytics, People Development, Strategic Thinking
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mergers & Acquisitions Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Accounting, Leadership and Management, Financial Accounting, Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Management, Business Analysis, Critical Thinking, General Accounting, Decision Making, Data Analysis, Marketing, Strategy, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Market Analysis, Strategy and Operations, Taxes, Management Accounting, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Risk Management, Regulations and Compliance, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Cost Accounting, Account Management, Problem Solving, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Corporate Accouting, Market Research, Statistical Programming, Data Management, Exploratory Data Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Business Process Management, Marketing Management, Digital Marketing, Media Strategy & Planning, Banking, Planning, Audit, Cash Management, Leadership Development, Statistical Analysis, Performance Management, Business Intelligence, Business Psychology, Python Programming, Securities Trading, Business Communication, Business Development, Organizational Development, Culture, Customer Analysis, Behavioral Economics, Creativity, General Statistics, Process Analysis, Professional Development, Sales, Social Media, Advertising, Brand Management, Influencing, R Programming, Interactive Data Visualization, Business Transformation, Correlation And Dependence, Customer Relationship Management, Operational Analysis, Product Management, Business Design, Project Management, Conflict Management, Data Analysis Software, Human Learning, People Analysis, People Management, Regression, Research and Design, Statistical Machine Learning, Advertising Sales, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Big Data, Budget Management, Change Management, Data Model, Emotional Intelligence, Plot (Graphics), Negotiation, Data Visualization Software, Innovation, Operations Management, Probability Distribution, Statistical Tests, Storytelling, Benefits, Collaboration, Computer Programming, Employee Relations, Securities Sales, Adaptability, Data Structures, Algorithms, Contract Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Research, Compensation, Human Resources, User Research, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Databases, Entrepreneurial Finance, Forecasting, Game Theory, Visual Design, Design and Product, Supply Chain and Logistics, Econometrics, SQL, Theoretical Computer Science, BlockChain, Data Architecture, Microsoft Excel, People Analytics, People Development, Strategic Thinking
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Dartmouth College
Digital Transformation Certificate
University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Taxation
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Accounting, Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Business Analysis, Financial Management, Marketing, Strategy, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Data Analysis, General Accounting, Strategy and Operations, Market Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Taxes, Entrepreneurship, Management Accounting, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Risk Management, Communication, Market Research, Regulations and Compliance, Cost Accounting, Problem Solving, Digital Marketing, Account Management, Media Strategy & Planning, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Corporate Accouting, Marketing Management, Business Development, Business Process Management, Data Management, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Innovation, Audit, Leadership Development, Planning, Business Transformation, Banking, Performance Management, Business Intelligence, Cash Management, Product Strategy, Python Programming, Sales, Statistical Analysis, Brand Management, Business Psychology, Customer Analysis, Business Communication, Creativity, Organizational Development, Product Management, Research and Design, Securities Trading, Culture, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning, Social Media, Advertising, Behavioral Economics, Customer Relationship Management, Human Learning, People Analysis, Process Analysis, Professional Development, R Programming, Business Design, Correlation And Dependence, General Statistics, Influencing, People Management, Product Marketing, Interactive Data Visualization, Adaptability, Change Management, Conflict Management, Marketing Design, Operational Analysis, Project Management, Advertising Sales, Collaboration, Product Development, Regression, Statistical Machine Learning, Negotiation, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Benefits, Big Data, Budget Management, Data Model, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Operations Management, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization Software, Design and Product, Probability Distribution, Statistical Tests, Storytelling, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Data Mining, Employee Relations, Securities Sales, Business Research, Data Structures, Machine Learning Algorithms, User Research, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Contract Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Compensation, Databases, Entrepreneurial Finance, Forecasting, Game Theory, Supply Chain and Logistics, Visual Design, Accounting Software, Econometrics, Natural Language Processing, SQL, Theoretical Computer Science, BlockChain, Data Architecture, Microsoft Excel, People Analytics, People Development, Strategic Thinking
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Accounting, Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Business Analysis, Financial Management, Marketing, Strategy, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Data Analysis, General Accounting, Strategy and Operations, Market Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Taxes, Entrepreneurship, Management Accounting, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Risk Management, Communication, Market Research, Regulations and Compliance, Cost Accounting, Problem Solving, Digital Marketing, Account Management, Media Strategy & Planning, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Corporate Accouting, Marketing Management, Business Development, Business Process Management, Data Management, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Innovation, Audit, Leadership Development, Planning, Business Transformation, Banking, Performance Management, Business Intelligence, Cash Management, Product Strategy, Python Programming, Sales, Statistical Analysis, Brand Management, Business Psychology, Customer Analysis, Business Communication, Creativity, Organizational Development, Product Management, Research and Design, Securities Trading, Culture, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning, Social Media, Advertising, Behavioral Economics, Customer Relationship Management, Human Learning, People Analysis, Process Analysis, Professional Development, R Programming, Business Design, Correlation And Dependence, General Statistics, Influencing, People Management, Product Marketing, Interactive Data Visualization, Adaptability, Change Management, Conflict Management, Marketing Design, Operational Analysis, Project Management, Advertising Sales, Collaboration, Product Development, Regression, Statistical Machine Learning, Negotiation, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Benefits, Big Data, Budget Management, Data Model, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Operations Management, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization Software, Design and Product, Probability Distribution, Statistical Tests, Storytelling, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Data Mining, Employee Relations, Securities Sales, Business Research, Data Structures, Machine Learning Algorithms, User Research, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Contract Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Compensation, Databases, Entrepreneurial Finance, Forecasting, Game Theory, Supply Chain and Logistics, Visual Design, Accounting Software, Econometrics, Natural Language Processing, SQL, Theoretical Computer Science, BlockChain, Data Architecture, Microsoft Excel, People Analytics, People Development, Strategic Thinking
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Value Chain Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Accounting, Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Business Analysis, Financial Management, Marketing, Strategy, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Data Analysis, General Accounting, Strategy and Operations, Market Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Taxes, Entrepreneurship, Management Accounting, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Risk Management, Communication, Market Research, Regulations and Compliance, Cost Accounting, Problem Solving, Digital Marketing, Account Management, Media Strategy & Planning, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Corporate Accouting, Marketing Management, Business Development, Business Process Management, Data Management, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Innovation, Audit, Leadership Development, Planning, Business Transformation, Banking, Performance Management, Business Intelligence, Cash Management, Product Strategy, Python Programming, Sales, Statistical Analysis, Brand Management, Business Psychology, Customer Analysis, Business Communication, Creativity, Organizational Development, Product Management, Research and Design, Securities Trading, Culture, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning, Social Media, Advertising, Behavioral Economics, Customer Relationship Management, Human Learning, People Analysis, Process Analysis, Professional Development, R Programming, Business Design, Correlation And Dependence, General Statistics, Influencing, People Management, Product Marketing, Interactive Data Visualization, Adaptability, Change Management, Conflict Management, Marketing Design, Operational Analysis, Project Management, Advertising Sales, Collaboration, Product Development, Regression, Statistical Machine Learning, Negotiation, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Benefits, Big Data, Budget Management, Data Model, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Operations Management, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization Software, Design and Product, Probability Distribution, Statistical Tests, Storytelling, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Data Mining, Employee Relations, Securities Sales, Business Research, Data Structures, Machine Learning Algorithms, User Research, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Contract Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Compensation, Databases, Entrepreneurial Finance, Forecasting, Game Theory, Supply Chain and Logistics, Visual Design, Accounting Software, Econometrics, Natural Language Processing, SQL, Theoretical Computer Science, BlockChain, Data Architecture, Microsoft Excel, People Analytics, People Development, Strategic Thinking
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership & Management
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Accounting, Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Business Analysis, Financial Management, Marketing, Strategy, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Data Analysis, General Accounting, Strategy and Operations, Market Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Taxes, Entrepreneurship, Management Accounting, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Risk Management, Communication, Market Research, Regulations and Compliance, Cost Accounting, Problem Solving, Digital Marketing, Account Management, Media Strategy & Planning, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Corporate Accouting, Marketing Management, Business Development, Business Process Management, Data Management, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Innovation, Audit, Leadership Development, Planning, Business Transformation, Banking, Performance Management, Business Intelligence, Cash Management, Product Strategy, Python Programming, Sales, Statistical Analysis, Brand Management, Business Psychology, Customer Analysis, Business Communication, Creativity, Organizational Development, Product Management, Research and Design, Securities Trading, Culture, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning, Social Media, Advertising, Behavioral Economics, Customer Relationship Management, Human Learning, People Analysis, Process Analysis, Professional Development, R Programming, Business Design, Correlation And Dependence, General Statistics, Influencing, People Management, Product Marketing, Interactive Data Visualization, Adaptability, Change Management, Conflict Management, Marketing Design, Operational Analysis, Project Management, Advertising Sales, Collaboration, Product Development, Regression, Statistical Machine Learning, Negotiation, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Benefits, Big Data, Budget Management, Data Model, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Operations Management, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization Software, Design and Product, Probability Distribution, Statistical Tests, Storytelling, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Data Mining, Employee Relations, Securities Sales, Business Research, Data Structures, Machine Learning Algorithms, User Research, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Contract Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Compensation, Databases, Entrepreneurial Finance, Forecasting, Game Theory, Supply Chain and Logistics, Visual Design, Accounting Software, Econometrics, Natural Language Processing, SQL, Theoretical Computer Science, BlockChain, Data Architecture, Microsoft Excel, People Analytics, People Development, Strategic Thinking
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Accounting, Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Business Analysis, Financial Management, Marketing, Strategy, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Data Analysis, General Accounting, Strategy and Operations, Market Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Taxes, Entrepreneurship, Management Accounting, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Risk Management, Communication, Market Research, Regulations and Compliance, Cost Accounting, Problem Solving, Digital Marketing, Account Management, Media Strategy & Planning, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Corporate Accouting, Marketing Management, Business Development, Business Process Management, Data Management, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Innovation, Audit, Leadership Development, Planning, Business Transformation, Banking, Performance Management, Business Intelligence, Cash Management, Product Strategy, Python Programming, Sales, Statistical Analysis, Brand Management, Business Psychology, Customer Analysis, Business Communication, Creativity, Organizational Development, Product Management, Research and Design, Securities Trading, Culture, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning, Social Media, Advertising, Behavioral Economics, Customer Relationship Management, Human Learning, People Analysis, Process Analysis, Professional Development, R Programming, Business Design, Correlation And Dependence, General Statistics, Influencing, People Management, Product Marketing, Interactive Data Visualization, Adaptability, Change Management, Conflict Management, Marketing Design, Operational Analysis, Project Management, Advertising Sales, Collaboration, Product Development, Regression, Statistical Machine Learning, Negotiation, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Benefits, Big Data, Budget Management, Data Model, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Operations Management, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization Software, Design and Product, Probability Distribution, Statistical Tests, Storytelling, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Data Mining, Employee Relations, Securities Sales, Business Research, Data Structures, Machine Learning Algorithms, User Research, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Contract Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Compensation, Databases, Entrepreneurial Finance, Forecasting, Game Theory, Supply Chain and Logistics, Visual Design, Accounting Software, Econometrics, Natural Language Processing, SQL, Theoretical Computer Science, BlockChain, Data Architecture, Microsoft Excel, People Analytics, People Development, Strategic Thinking
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months