The effective Operational Research OR group

Most managers do not see Operational Research OR as an essential part of their organization’s operations-it is not a core function. This is something that can easily be forgotten by practitioners, particularly in Operational Research OR groups which have been around for some time and even expanded over the years. In these circumstances, many Operational Research OR groups could be forgiven for becoming complacent about their security of tenure. Yet the dangers are real enough. The recent dispanding of the Operational Research OR group in a well-known company, apparently as part of a cost-cutting exercise, serves as a sharp reminder of the potential vulnerability of the Operational Research OR function. It would be instructive to examine the rationale of such a decision, for there must be lessons here for practitioners everywhere.