Since the operating systems studied by OR specialists arose in a wide variety of industries and government environments. It follows that the results of their research frequently make important contributions to the solution of problems of choice, policy, and planning. It can be determined that OR is a flexible and powerful tool to management in improving their operations. The methods of Operations Research were rooted in the basics of science. . An OR team (in some companies this may be a single individual) consists of trained researchers that incorporate their own techniques and methods from their fields to the basics of science. The first step is to formulate the problem, after which a mathematical model is generally constructed to represent the system being studied. Mathematical models, or conceptual models, are usually equations or formulae developed to relate important factors of the operations studied. The factors can then be tested, and operated on mathematically to determine the effects of changing the values of the variables. Basically, OR can be characterized with the following statements:

Research on the operations of the whole organization to determine the problem and then optimize the operations to improve the organization.

Application of the newest methods and techniques.

Application of the methods and techniques of the older management sciences.

Development and use of analytical models in accordance to the basic sciences.

Design and use experimental operations that give an insight into behavior of actual operations.

Use of integrated and creative multi-disciplinary team research to solve complex operational problems.

A simple definition: Operations Research is concerned with making the whole system work with maximum and effectiveness and least cost.