Collaborative problem structuring using MARVEL

When faced with wicked and messy problems, practitioners can rely on a variety of problem structuring methods (PSMs). Although previous efforts have been made to combine such methods with simulation, currently, few exist that integrate a simulation capability within problem structuring. Our integrated approach named MARVEL (method to analyse...

A code of best practice for judgement-based operational research

Judgement-based (or ‘soft’) Operational Research (OR) is used in Defence, although it may not be well known and understood and it may not be perceived to have the rigour of more quantitative techniques. A NATO task group was set up to address these features and to produce a Code of Best Practice with the purpose of: creating an understanding of...

NATO Guide for Judgement-Based Operational Analysis in Defence Decision Making: Analyst-Oriented Volume - Code of Best Practice for Soft Operational Analysis

Judgment plays an important role in all Operational Analysis (OA). NATO practitioners have determined that approaches in OA that are based on human judgement are increasingly critical to defence decision making. The purpose of the NATO Guide for Judgement-Based OA in Defence Decision Making is to create an understanding of what judgement-based...

NATO Guide for Judgement-Based Operational Analysis in Defence Decision Making: Client-Oriented Volume

Judgment plays an important role in all Operational Analysis (OA). NATO practitioners have determined that approaches in OA that are based on human judgement are increasingly critical to defence decision making. The purpose of the NATO Guide for Judgement-Based OA in Defence Decision Making is to create an understanding of what judgement-based...

NATO Guide for Judgement-Based Operational Analysis in Defence Decision Making: Executive Leaflet

Judgment plays an important role in all Operational Analysis (OA). NATO practitioners have determined that approaches in OA that are based on human judgement are increasingly critical to defence decision making. The purpose of the NATO Guide for Judgement-Based OA in Defence Decision Making is to create an understanding of what judgement-based...

A Comparison of Group Model Building and Strategic Options Development and Analysis

A distinctive tradition within group decision support uses models to structure managerial problems. In this tradition, stakeholders jointly construct a model on their issue of concern in facilitated workshops. In the past decades a wide variety of theoretical insights into and techniques for model-based decision support have been proposed and...

Stakeholder participation in the distribution of freshwater in the Netherlands

It is widely recognized that integrated approaches are required to manage our limited water resources in an effective and sustainable manner. In the Netherlands, this is mostly realized by organizing integrated spatial development processes. This paper presents a discussion in which the distribution of freshwater is integrated with spatial...

Knowledge and perceptions in participatory policy processes: Lessons from the Delta-Region in the Netherlands

Water resources management issues tend to affect a variety of uses and users. Therefore, they often exhibit complex and unstructured problems. The complex, unstructured nature of these problems originates from uncertain knowledge and from the existence of divergent perceptions among various actors. Consequently, dealing with these problems is...

Probleemdefiniëring bij organisatieveranderingen; Hoe methoden uit de Operations Research hieraan kunnen bijdragen

Verandertrajecten in organisaties vinden hun oorsprong vaak in complexe problemen. Om een oplossing te vinden en te implementeren is het eerst en vooral zaak om scherp te krijgen wat het probleem feitelijk is. Alleen dan is het mogelijk een adequate oplossing te vinden. Een onjuist of onvolledig inzicht in het probleem leidt (vaak) tot een...

Transferring PSM craft skills in a 2 hour session

Many of those involved in the Problem Structuring Methods (PSM) community have commented on the struggle that novices face in building the craft skills associated with conducting a PSM intervention. As part of this year's Operational Research Society Conference, we have three 2-hour practical sessions which demonstrate the use of PSMs. These...

Using soft OR principles for collaborative simulation: A case study in the Dutch airline industry

Collaborative simulation is a method to handle problem situations that are technologically and socially complex. It combines discrete event simulation with methods, techniques and tools designed to help groups progress with their problems. Discrete event simulation and group support both appear to have clear promises in embedding soft OR...