Article Review #1: “For Better or for Best” pp. 6-7, IFORS News, June 2013,
https://www.ifors.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IFORS-News-June-2013_2.pdf
In the feature article "For Better Or for Best: My OR Story," published in IFORS News in June 2013, the
author, Mr. Francis Z. Miranda, narrates his captivating journey through the realm of Operations Research (OR),
demonstrating OR's pivotal role in strategic decision-making across various industries. When he wrote the article,
he was over 16 years into his career and not only highlighted his professional progress, but also emphasized the
transformative power of OR in optimizing processes, increasing efficiency, and driving business success.
The article begins with Mr. Miranda's initial aspirations to become a manufacturing engineer and soon shifts
to his entrance into Operations Research (OR) shortly after joining a leading beverage company. As part of a new
OR department, he addresses supply chain issues and influences critical strategic choices using comprehensive OR
modeling. His story follows his professional path into the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market, where they
created OR models to improve staff planning. His adventure continues with a move to a pharmaceutical distribution
company, demonstrating the versatility and impact of OR in dealing with complicated logistical and operational
issues. The article concludes with his current role in market research, where OR is used to model customer behavior
from sampled data to the general population.
The feature article demonstrates OR's versatility and importance across industries, including manufacturing,
BPO, pharmaceutical distribution, and market research. Mr. Miranda expertly uses his professional experience as a
case study to show OR's broad application and vital significance in strategic planning and operational efficiency.
Each transition in his career is a chapter in the larger story of OR's progress and growing prominence in today's
corporate scene.
One of the article's strengths is its ability to explain OR, portraying it as an effective tool for tackling realworld problems rather than a purely academic topic. Mr. Miranda emphasizes the real benefits of OR by using
particular examples, such as optimizing a beverage company's distribution network or improving workforce
scheduling in a BPO setting.
However, the feature article could broaden the reader's knowledge by digging deeper into the technical
features of the OR models used in various projects. While his story effectively communicates the outcomes
achieved through OR, a more in-depth explanation of the methods and challenges faced in designing and executing
these models would provide useful insights into the OR process itself.
"For Better Or for Best: My OR Story" is an uplifting narrative of the transforming power of Operations
Research in the industry. Mr. Francis Z. Miranda's story demonstrates OR's vital role in strategic decision-making
and operational optimization. The feature article not only celebrates the successes of OR but also promotes a
broader understanding and acceptance of OR approaches for addressing complex business challenges. As the author
prepares to face new problems with OR, we get a deep knowledge and appreciation for the discipline's ability to
effect change and drive progress.
Article Review #2: Optimization, an Important Stage of Engineering Design: Featuring aviator Charles
Lindbergh crossing the Atlantic,
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=ncete_publications
Todd R. Kelley's insightful article "Optimization, an Important Stage of Engineering Design," published in
February 2010, delves into the vital significance of optimization in the engineering design process, especially for
educational purposes. By examining Charles Lindbergh's famous transatlantic flight in 1927 as a case study, he
demonstrates how optimization serves as a foundation for engineering accomplishments, presenting a convincing
explanation for its heightened emphasis on technology education.
Kelley begins by distinguishing between the engineering and technological design processes based on their
emphasis on analysis and optimization. He identifies a gap in technology education, citing a study that found a lack
of importance in teaching optimization techniques. This gap highlights a wasted opportunity to build a deeper grasp
of engineering design principles among students. The National Center for Engineering and Technology Education
(NCETE) has highlighted optimization, alongside constraints and predictive analysis (COPA), as critical principles
in the engineering design process. Kelley's emphasis on optimization seeks to illuminate its significance and
application, citing Lindbergh's flight as a prime example of optimization in action.
Kelley defines optimization simply as "doing the most with the least," an idea that Charles Lindbergh
demonstrated during his preparation for the New York to Paris flight. Despite other aviators' failures, Lindbergh's
success was due to the thorough design and preparation of his aircraft, The Spirit of St. Louis. Lindbergh took a
comprehensive approach to optimization. He chose a single-engine monoplane, valuing efficiency, fuel capacity,
and weight reduction over potentially safer but heavier options. His decision to fly solo relied on the same
optimization reasoning, which allowed for more fuel storage at the expense of potential in-flight help. He describes
Lindbergh's decision to forsake safety equipment, such as a parachute, radio, and sextant, as a contentious but
calculated risk. Those decisions were made to optimize weight, prioritizing additional fuel and range over
equipment that may not be practicable or necessary for his particular journey. Lindbergh's design choices, such as
the odd positioning of the cockpit beneath the fuel tank and the absence of a traditional windshield, indicate his
devotion to optimizing for efficiency, crash safety, and reduced air resistance.
One of the article's strengths is the ability to relate historical engineering successes to current educational
approaches. Kelley's use of Lindbergh's flight as a case study is particularly effective, as it demonstrates the concept
of optimization in a concrete and engaging way. He makes optimization clear to both educators and students by
breaking down Lindbergh's decision-making process and design choices. The article also presents a convincing
argument for the importance of optimization in the engineering design process, citing Lindbergh's historic flight as
a powerful example. The case study not simply demonstrates the actual uses of optimization, but also acts as an
inspirational example for students studying engineering design.
While the case study of Lindbergh's flight is captivating and informative, the article could benefit from
additional examples of optimization in different contexts or engineering disciplines. It would help to highlight the
broad applicability of optimization ideas and may engage a larger audience of educators and students.
Personally, I found the article to be enlightening and inspirational. Kelley's ability to connect the ties
between historical achievements and educational practices resonated with me, emphasizing the ageless nature of
engineering ideas. The emphasis on Charles Lindbergh's flight not only provided a great example of optimization
but also served as a reminder of the human brilliance and determination that underpin engineering wonders.
Overall, the article advocates a greater emphasis on teaching optimization techniques in technology and
engineering education. Educators can inspire students with real-world applications of engineering principles by
incorporating additional examples into the curriculum, such as Lindbergh's flight, fostering a greater understanding
and appreciation of the optimization process. Kelley's exploration of optimization through Charles Lindbergh's
achievements sheds light on the crucial significance of optimization in engineering design. This article is more than
an instructional resource; it is also a reminder of the long-term impact of well-applied engineering principles on
historical achievements.