The Management Science Process
The Management Science Process consists of 1) understanding the problem, 2) building a representative model, 3)
solving the mathematical model and, lastly, 4) monitoring/communicating the outcome. Discuss this process and the
importance of each. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.
Prior to embarking on a discussion of the management science process it is important to
understand what it is all about. In out text book Lawrence & Pasternack (2002, p.9) define
management science as “a discipline that adapts the scientific method to provide management
with key information for executive decision making.” There are four steps to the process which
include understanding the problem, building a representative model, solving the mathematic
model, and communicating the outcome. Each step is critical in its own right and adjustments
might be required as the process is explored.
Defining the problem is by far the most important part of the management science process. If
the problem at hand is not clearly defined then the information sought after might never be
found. This is done by observing the operations from multiple perspectives to see if problems
exist from different vantage points. Next start simple with the definition of the
problem. Keeping things simple and as information is gathered from team members it allows
them to speak candidly and can help identify problems that are legitimate. This is not to say the
depth of investigation should only be surface level, rather start simple to find direction and
follow up with more direct and in-depth questions. Next analysts should take consideration of
the politics within the organization. This step is important because if people are not speaking
candidly about the problem the solution will elude even the greatest efforts. After much
deliberation on the previous steps we move on to deciding what is really needed. It is very
important to understand what is truly necessary and warrants being included in the management
science process. Next the constraints have to be considered. All levels have to be evaluated to
see if there are snag points at any critical level that would affect the outcome. Finally and
continuously feedback from the management ensures that the problems have been identified
adequately and that correction measures are either effective or lacking.
The next step is to develop the mathematical model or develop a mathematic problem that can
take the problem from words and create a numeric expression that can be solved. In order to do
this the decision variables must be identified. This can be complex because deciding what is the
data being sought can challenge even experienced experts. To do this our textbook gives some
rules of thumb. They initially did not make clear sense to me but after reviewing a bit more I
understand them to be decide what we want to learn from the problem or what values can be
placed on the item and then clearly identify the unit, or time frame, when applicable for each
variable. Each problem will be individual and require an amount of focus. Next the objective
and constraints must be considered and quantified. In other words the company must see that the
efforts will work toward and end that is wanted. Next a model shell is developed in order to
focus on the problem and verify that all of the data needed to solve the issue is evident. Finally
data collection takes place and time and cost issues are assessed to ensure the correct model is
accepted to solve the problem.
The next step for the analyst is to solve the model. First step here is identifying the correct
model to reach the desired solution, and then the analyst’s uses the model to solve the
mathematical equation. The next step is to test the results of the model to ensure they will gain a
viable solution. It is also used to ensure the model will stand the test of time and continue to
provide the solutions the company needs. If something comes up here that raises questions or
proves that there is a need to relook the model, then the model will be reassessed and adjusted as
necessary to find the fix desired.
The final step in the management science process is to monitor the process results and report the
findings to the stakeholders as required. This might be a very formal presentation to key leaders
or could be simple depending on the issues at hand. This step does not end because continuous
evaluation will provide great detail for managers to monitor performance.
Reference
Lawrence, J., & Pasternack, B. (2002). Applied management science: Modeling, spreadsheet
analysis, and communication for decision making (2nd ed.) Hoboken,
NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 9780471391906