Quantitative Analysis for Management, 13/e

1.3 The Quantitative Analysis Approach

Defining the problem can be the most important step.

Concentrate on only a few problems.

The quantitative analysis approach consists of defining a problem, developing a model, acquiring input data, developing a solution, testing the solution, analyzing the results, and implementing the results (see Figure 1.1). One step does not have to be finished completely before the next is started; in most cases, one or more of these steps will be modified to some extent before the final results are implemented. This would cause all of the subsequent steps to be changed. In some cases, testing the solution might reveal that the model or the input data are not correct. This would mean that all steps that follow defining ...