Case Article—Blending Statistics, Optimization, and Simulation in a Multiphase Case
Michael Francis Gorman · INFORMS Transactions on Education · 2022
This case integrates three different methodologies over a four-part sequence on a problem that mirrors a real-world, published project. Students apply statistics, integer optimization, and simulation analysis toward solving the job assignment problem. The case features four parts: (1) operating cost and runtime estimation via regression, (2) mixed integer optimization analysis of a baseline and two scenarios, (3) simulation of the recommended solution under uncertainty, and (4) reoptimization under uncertainty. The case has been implemented over a one- to four-week period with upper level MBA or masters in analytics students. The case has received very positive feedback. History: This paper has been accepted for the INFORMS Transactions on Education Special Section on Cases Based on Real-World Projects from the INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics. Supplemental Material: The supplemental material is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ited.2022.0278ca . The Teaching Note and data files are available at https://www.informs.org/Publications/Subscribe/Access-Restricted-Materials .