Modeling Philosophy

Progressive Implementation

We design our decision support systems in modules so that each piece of the system can be implemented and used by the client to gain immediate value. This progressive approach to implementation decreases a client’s risk by minimizing the upfront investment and thereby reducing the lead time required to integrate, test and train. Different clients have different priorities and may select from a menu of capabilities and functionality. A small portion of the financial returns generated by the initial, core module can later be used by a client to pay for subsequent modules.

Flexible and Controllable

Computer models are tools that managers use to improve decisions. We recognize that different clients and different managers within a client organization may want to use the same tool to analyze different problems. To that end, we design easy-to-use input screens where managers can set parameters, change costs, or develop “what if” scenarios. This flexibility enables each user to represent their unique business rules and their specific issues. Like a concert grand piano, our tools are sophisticated instruments that can produce either classical or jazz, as the occasion calls.

Integrating Strategic, Planning, and Tactical Applications

In the past, companies typically developed decision support tools that were uniquely tailored to each application. Consequently, a tool that worked very well in a strategic environment did not include the details or speed required by line managers. Deterministic tools designed to support the development of operating plans often did not account for mechanical failures, service disruptions, maintenance outages or bad weather, under-representing the actual demand for network resources. We strive to design systems wherein the core algorithms are robust and can be used in a range of planning horizons from “what should I do now?” to “what should I do in five or ten years?” Successful organizations achieve alignment across strategic visions, planned operations, and tactical decisions by structuring analyses in all three arenas on a common set of data, assumptions, and decision logic.