Operational Analysis: A Comprehensive Overview
Abstract
Operational analysis (OA) is an important field of study that enables organizations to identify and analyze the operational performance of their operations and activities in order to improve their overall efficiency and effectiveness. OA is a multidisciplinary approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate and optimize a variety of factors that affect operational performance, including the design, implementation, and management of operational systems and processes. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of operational analysis, covering its history, components, and application. Furthermore, the paper reviews the latest research in the field, which has focused on the use of OA to support decision-making in organizations.
Keywords: Operational analysis, performance evaluation, decision making, operations
Introduction
In the current business environment, organizations must adopt an effective and efficient approach to their operations in order to remain competitive and profitable. As such, operational analysis (OA) has become an important field of study that enables organizations to identify and analyze the operational performance of their operations and activities in order to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. OA is a multidisciplinary approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate and optimize a variety of factors that affect operational performance, including the design, implementation, and management of operational systems and processes.
History of Operational Analysis
OA has its roots in the military and industrial sectors, where it was initially developed to support the activities of the British Royal Navy in the early 20th century. In particular, the Royal Navy’s operational research division developed the first formal model of OA, which was used to assess the operational performance of naval vessels (Barnett & Barnden, 2012). The model was subsequently adapted for use in other industries, including the manufacturing, energy, and healthcare sectors.
Components of Operational Analysis
OA is comprised of four primary components: data collection, data analysis, decision support, and action planning.
Data collection is the first stage of OA and involves the collection of data from various sources, such as customer feedback, employee surveys, and financial reports. The collected data is then analyzed in order to identify patterns and trends that can be used to improve operational performance.
Data analysis is the second stage of OA and involves the use of statistical and mathematical techniques to analyze the collected data. This stage enables organizations to identify areas of improvement, as well as potential opportunities for cost savings and efficiency gains.
Decision support is the third stage of OA and involves the use of the analyzed data to inform decision-making. This stage enables organizations to make informed decisions regarding the design, implementation, and management of operational systems and processes.
Action planning is the fourth and final stage of OA and involves the development of an action plan based on the analyzed data. This plan outlines specific steps that need to be taken in order to improve operational performance.
Application of Operational Analysis
OA has been successfully applied in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and retail. In particular, OA has been used to improve operational performance in areas such as supply chain management, customer service, and product development. In addition, OA has been used to support decision-making in organizations, such as the selection and implementation of new technologies and processes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, operational analysis is a multidisciplinary approach that enables organizations to identify and analyze the operational performance of their operations and activities in order to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. OA combines quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate and optimize a variety of factors that affect operational performance, and has been applied successfully in many industries. Furthermore, OA has been used to support decision-making in organizations, such as the selection and implementation of new technologies and processes.
References
Barnett, J., & Barnden, B. (2012). The history of operational research. International Journal of Operational Research, 16(3), 345-361.
Molina-Azorín, J. F., & García-Sabater, J. (2017). A review of operational analysis applications to support decision-making in the industry. International Journal of Production Research, 55(14), 4118-4131.
Rau, D. C., & Wagner, S. M. (2014). A framework for operational analysis. Journal of Operations Management, 32(3), 124-136.