Optimization and operations research
Optimization and operations research develop mathematical methods for allocating resources and making decisions under constraints. They support planning and logistics in complex, interconnected systems. Systems Science and Modelling stewards this page for the Nexus Consortium.
- 01In briefThe short answer
- 02The methodWhat optimization and operations research covers
- 03Reference practiceOptimisation is used in planning, operations and allocation
- 04In systemic risk workOptimal for one future, fragile in another
- 05Applied inPlatforms that apply this method
- 06StewardshipWho maintains this page
- 07Key termsTerms used on this page
GCRI · Institution · service level R0
The short answer.
Optimization and operations research develop mathematical methods for allocating resources and making decisions under constraints. Optimization supports prepositioning of supplies, network investment and recovery sequencing. In the Nexus Consortium, Systems Science and Modelling stewards its canonical page, and 8 other platforms apply it, including Food Nexus and Energy Nexus.
Systemic exposure in East Asia.
Where people and networks concentrate, the exposure through which shocks travel between systems, shown for East Asia as an example geography for this subject.
What optimization and operations research covers.
- 01
Core methods
linear and integer programming; stochastic programming; robust optimization; network flow models; queueing analysis; heuristic and metaheuristic search.
- 02
Data and instruments
demand and capacity data; cost and constraint data; network topology; scenario sets; operational records.
- 03
Validation
Solutions are checked for feasibility, tested through simulation and compared with historical decisions. Sensitivity analysis examines how results change with parameters.
- 04
Limits
Optimal solutions can be fragile when assumptions are wrong. Objectives may omit values that are hard to quantify.
- 05
Use in risk decisions
Optimization supports prepositioning of supplies, network investment and recovery sequencing. Robust formulations help choose options that perform acceptably across many scenarios.
Optimisation is used in planning, operations and allocation.
| Reference | What it sets |
|---|---|
| Capacity expansion planning | Energy and water infrastructure |
| Robust and stochastic optimisation | Decisions under uncertainty |
| Humanitarian logistics | Prepositioning and distribution |
Optimal for one future, fragile in another.
Optimised systems often remove slack that provides resilience. Robust and stochastic optimisation trade some efficiency for performance across many futures. In risk work the objective function and constraints are policy choices that should be visible.
- Make objectives and constraints explicit.
- Test solutions across scenarios.
- Value redundancy explicitly.
- Applications on Systems Modelling and Energy Nexus.
Platforms that apply this method.
- Food NexusInstitutionGCRI
- Energy NexusInstitutionGCRI
- Disaster Resilience and RecoveryInstitutionGCRI
- Critical InfrastructureInstitutionGCRI
- Trade and Strategic ResourcesInstitutionGCRI
- Data and ComputeInstitutionGCRI
- Advanced Industry and RoboticsInstitutionGCRI
- Disaster and Crisis GovernanceInstitutionGRF
- Systems Science and ModellingInstitutionGCRI
Who maintains this page.
Systems Science and Modelling stewards optimization and operations research: it keeps this description current and reviews how the method is applied across the platforms.
Terms used on this page.
Each term as this page uses it. Where a standard-setting body defines the term, the wording follows that body.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Prepositioning | Placing relief stocks near likely areas of need before a crisis to shorten response time. |
| Linear programming | A method for finding the best value of a linear objective, such as cost, subject to linear constraints. |
| Robust optimization | Optimization that seeks solutions that perform acceptably across a range of uncertain scenarios rather than the best for one. |
| Capacity expansion model | An optimization model that chooses which generation, storage and network capacity to build over a planning horizon. |
Where this page's references lead.
The bodies and documents this page is read against. Status and editions change; each link goes to the issuing body.
Where this page leads across the Consortium.
- Optimization for food supply chainsGCRIApplied in Food Nexus.
- Optimization for energy systemsGCRIApplied in Energy Nexus.
- Operations research for disaster logisticsGCRIApplied in Disaster Resilience and Recovery.
- Optimization for infrastructureGCRIApplied in Critical Infrastructure.
- Optimization for trade and supplyGCRIApplied in Trade and Strategic Resources.
- Optimization for computingGCRIApplied in Data and Compute.
- Optimization in productionGCRIApplied in Advanced Industry and Robotics.
- Optimization and operations research for disaster and crisis governanceGRFApplied in Disaster and Crisis Governance.
- Optimization methodsGCRIApplied in Systems Science and Modelling.
Questions and answers.
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