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    • Operations Research

    Operations Research Courses Online

    Study operations research for solving complex organizational problems. Learn about optimization, simulation, and decision analysis techniques.

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    Explore the Operations Research Course Catalog

    • D

      DeepLearning.AI

      Neural Networks and Deep Learning

      Skills you'll gain: Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Tensorflow, Supervised Learning, Keras (Neural Network Library), Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Python Programming, NumPy, Performance Tuning

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      123K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • F

      Fundação Instituto de Administração

      Operations Management

      Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Process Improvement, Revenue Management, Quality Improvement, Process Analysis, Business Operations, Lean Six Sigma, Lean Methodologies, Operational Performance Management, Operational Efficiency, Continuous Improvement Process, Organizational Strategy, Service Management, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Capacity Management, Strategic Decision-Making

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      16 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Coursera Instructor Network

      Introduction to Market Research

      Skills you'll gain: Market Research, Analytical Skills, Data Collection, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Market Analysis, Marketing, Business Research, Quantitative Research, Data Analysis, Customer Insights, Market Trend, Consumer Behaviour, Focus Group, Competitive Analysis

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      40 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Q

      Queen Mary University of London

      Research Methodologies

      Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Research Methodologies, Data Collection, Focus Group, Business Research, Market Research, Research Design, Sample Size Determination, Survey Creation, Interviewing Skills, Market Analysis, Consumer Behaviour

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      355 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Amsterdam

      Quantitative Methods

      Skills you'll gain: Scientific Methods, Research Design, Sampling (Statistics), Science and Research, Research Methodologies, Quantitative Research, Data Collection, Social Sciences, Survey Creation, Experimentation, Ethical Standards And Conduct

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.3K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Clinical Trials Management and Advanced Operations

      Skills you'll gain: Clinical Trials, Clinical Research, Regulatory Compliance, Patient Safety, Risk Management, Science and Research, Medical Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Record Keeping

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      91 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Coursera Project Network

      Business Operations Support in Google Sheets

      Skills you'll gain: Google Sheets, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Operations, Resource Allocation, Spreadsheet Software, Automation, Management Reporting, Project Controls, Workflow Management, Data Management

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      196 reviews

      Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Cape Town

      Research for Impact

      Skills you'll gain: Strategic Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Influencing, Research, Strategic Partnership, Program Evaluation, Community Development, Policy Analysis, Change Management, Communication, Systems Thinking, Continuous Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Capacity Planning, Collaboration

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      174 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Q

      Queen Mary University of London

      Market Research

      Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Proposal Development, Market Research, Research Reports, Data Collection, Research Design, Research Methodologies, Data Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Survey Creation, Statistical Analysis, Correlation Analysis, Report Writing, Quantitative Research, Research, Market Analysis, Focus Group, Regression Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Business Research

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      427 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Operations Management: Organization and Analysis

      Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Manufacturing Operations, Operational Analysis, Business Operations, Supply Chain, Inventory Management System, Process Analysis, Decision Making, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Strategy, Cost Benefit Analysis, Demand Planning, Capacity Management, Service Level

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.2K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • C

      Coursera Project Network

      ChatGPT for Beginners: Using AI for Market Research

      Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Market Research, Market Analysis, Marketing, Language Interpretation, Translation, and Studies, Marketing Collateral, Content Creation, Digital Marketing

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      73 reviews

      Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • A

      American Psychological Association

      Statistics in Psychological Research

      Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Descriptive Statistics, Plot (Graphics), Graphing, Data Presentation, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Inference, Quantitative Research, Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Sample Size Determination, Data Analysis, Sampling (Statistics), Scatter Plots, Psychology, Research Design, Diversity Programs

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      44 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Operations Research learners also search

    Operations Management
    Operations Analytics
    Business
    Management
    Business Management
    Business Development
    Project Management
    Business Projects
    1…91011…350

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular operations research courses

    • Neural Networks and Deep Learning: DeepLearning.AI
    • Operations Management: Fundação Instituto de Administração
    • Introduction to Market Research: Coursera Instructor Network
    • Research Methodologies: Queen Mary University of London
    • Quantitative Methods: University of Amsterdam
    • Clinical Trials Management and Advanced Operations: Johns Hopkins University
    • Business Operations Support in Google Sheets: Coursera Project Network
    • Research for Impact: University of Cape Town
    • Market Research: Queen Mary University of London
    • Operations Management: Organization and Analysis: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Skills you can learn in Business Strategy

    Modeling (25)
    Market (economics) (21)
    Plan (19)
    Planning (16)
    Strategic Management (16)
    Business Model (13)
    Operations Management (13)
    Analytics (12)
    Evaluation (12)
    Project Management (11)
    Supply Chain (10)
    Decision-making (9)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Operations Research

    Operations research is the use of statistical analysis and mathematical optimization techniques to help organizations solve problems and improve decision-making. The ability to harness vast amounts of data on day-to-day operations has created opportunities to rigorously optimize processes for cost, quality control, inventory management, and other goals, making operations research an important part of many businesses.

    The tools of operations research are similar to those of other fields relying heavily on quantitative analysis and statistics. Operational data is input into programs such as Microsoft Excel and Solver, R, and Python, where mathematical optimization techniques such as linear programming (LP) are applied to find the best solution for business problems. Monte Carlo simulations and other probabilistic analyses may also be used to discover areas of sensitivity and risk.

    These data-driven insights are typically applied according to process management and process improvement frameworks such as Six Sigma and Lean, which strive to reduce variation and eliminate waste in operations.‎

    Operations research is a core competency of careers in operations management, supply chain management, and logistics. This skill is particularly highly valued by businesses in manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and other industries where companies must compete to deliver goods and services with complex supply chains in cost-sensitive markets.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, operations research analysts earned a median annual salary of $84,810 in 2019. These jobs are also expected to grow much faster than jobs in the rest of the economy, due to the explosive growth in the availability of operations data along with the increasing importance of adopting these data-driven approaches to remain competitive in many industries. Operations research analysts typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in technical and quantitative fields such as engineering, computer science, analytics, or mathematics, as few schools offer degrees in operations research specifically.‎

    Certainly. Coursera offers courses and Specializations on operations research and related topics such as supply chain and operations management, operational analytics, and statistical research. Offered by excellent schools such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Melbourne, and Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, these courses give you the opportunity to learn remotely on a flexible schedule and a lower tuition than on-campus students. Whether you’re a student or mid-career professional looking to add new skills to your repertoire, Coursera gives you the opportunity to optimize your operations research education to fit your specific needs.‎

    The skills and experience that you might need to already have before starting to learn operations research may include knowledge of mathematical and engineering methods, understanding of the fundamentals of business, and some background in linear programming, a math technique to solve systems of linear constraints. All of these can help you fully grasp the basics of operations research. Furthermore, having a background that includes computer algorithms and optimization techniques can help you to better analyze optimization problems in computer science, civil engineering, economics, and management. This multifaceted field is also linked with machine learning, as some operations researchers are sampling machine learning methods to test various metrics in a particular optimization process.‎

    The kind of people who are best suited for operations research work are often quantitative thinkers who are detailed and analytical. These people use mathematics formulas to help companies study labor needs, cost scenarios, product distribution, and other factors. In doing this work, they need to be curious, methodical, rational, and logical. Because operations researchers understand how algorithms, math, and statistics may impact workflows, budgets, employee staffing, and profitability, they also tend to be the kind of people who are investigative in nature, using their intellect and curiosity in the work.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Operations Research, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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