Structuring an engagement
The four basic phases of typical O.R. engagements are described below.
Step 1: Assessment (1 day to 1 month)
Start by calling in an O.R. professional to assess how O.R. might help you address your challenge or opportunity. Depending on the subject matter, you may accomplish this step with a conversation or an assessment study.
Start by calling in an O.R. professional to assess how O.R. might help you address your challenge or opportunity. Depending on the subject matter, you may accomplish this step with a conversation or an assessment study.
Step 2: Quick-turn-around analysis (1 day to 2 months)
If you and the O.R. professional agree to proceed, the next steps are determined by the nature of the assignment. Some examples:
If you and the O.R. professional agree to proceed, the next steps are determined by the nature of the assignment. Some examples:
- Critiquing technical material or evaluating a software package with "O.R. inside": The O.R. professional performs the work and reports results.
- Advanced analysis for a one-time, critical decision: The professional prepares and interprets an advanced analysis, in ongoing interaction with you and others who either furnish input or participate in the decision.
- Preparing for system development to improve recurring decisions: The professional designs an information system with "O.R. inside" to identify preferred choices on demand.
Step 3: Prototyping – for system development only
(1 month to 3 months)
A development team (including O.R. professionals, software engineers, and operations staff as required) is assembled. The team constructs, tests, and refines a system prototype while interacting frequently with prospective users. The O.R. professional also recommends changes in processes and procedures necessary for effective system performance.
(1 month to 3 months)
A development team (including O.R. professionals, software engineers, and operations staff as required) is assembled. The team constructs, tests, and refines a system prototype while interacting frequently with prospective users. The O.R. professional also recommends changes in processes and procedures necessary for effective system performance.
Step 4: Implementation – for system development only (1 month to 1 year)
The development team works with management and users to develop the system, install the system, train operators, revise processes and procedures, provide for maintenance and future upgrades, and measure benefits.
The development team works with management and users to develop the system, install the system, train operators, revise processes and procedures, provide for maintenance and future upgrades, and measure benefits.
Key consulting agreement elements
When you begin working with O.R. consultants, ordinarily you will create a formal consulting agreement. Examples of contents:
When you begin working with O.R. consultants, ordinarily you will create a formal consulting agreement. Examples of contents:
- Clear description of the assignment
- Consultant and client responsibilities
- Deliverable materials – content, format, level of detail
- Schedule for both the consultants and the organization, including project milestones
- Project risks (if any) agreed upon by the client and the consultant
- Fees
- Change-control procedure
No comments:
Post a Comment