Rajiv Gandhi

Indian Institute of Management, Shillong

POST GRADUATE PROGRAM IN MANAGEMENT (2016 18)
Course Outline

Course Code COP115201 Term II

Title of the Operations Research Credit: 1.00
Course:

Name of the Arindum Mukhopadhyay

Faculty:
Email ID: am@iimshillong.in Contact 0364
No.: 2308047
81319954
98

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is all about learning the scientific way of decision making. It may be
thought of extension of the course Statistics for decision making taught in Term-I.
The course is so designed that participants without rigorous
mathematical background can also get a grasp of the concepts and
applications of optimization techniques in management decision making
process. The focus of the course is to enhance the skills of participants in
understanding the management problems through modeling and practical
problem solving using various business cases and mathematical models.
Participants need not be worried to learn rigorously the algorithms for solving
various mathematical models. Rather, they should focus on capturing the
management problem phenomena, on building mathematical models, on
collecting relevant data, on using software to solve the mathematical
models, analyzing the output of the solutions, on making a scientifically valid
decision, and on checking the practical feasibility of proposed decisions
and/or looking for alternate decision. The course also aims at familiarizing

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participants with the use of computer in conducting the optimization using
MS Excel SOLVER.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The basic objective of the course is to make the participants familiar with the
concepts, tools, and techniques of modeling, optimization, and decision
making. The focus of the course is on application of optimization and/or
simulation techniques in various areas related to management and decision
making situations. The participants will be acquainted in handling real life
management cases through understanding the situation,
conceptualizing the problem, modeling the problem, data collection,
building the mathematical model, analyzing the model, making
inferences out of the data, and taking optimal decisions.

LEARNING OUTCOME:
a. Formulating and solving Quantitative decision models.
b. Analyzing for the optimal solution.
c. Using SOLVER tools in quantitative decision making.
COURSE REQUISITES: NIL

PEDAGOGY / TEACHING METHODOLOGY:

The teaching methodology is blend of following approaches:
1. Lectures and Discussions
2. Case Studies Discussions and Presentations
Quizzes may be announced and conducted with prior notices.
Attendance is compulsory and strictly as per the PGP Handbook.
Relevant class participation is most important part of the evaluation.
The assignment will be evaluated on class presentation of any random
group. The presentation will be blended with question/answer activity and
discussions.
The case studies and assignments dont look for the correct answers from
the participants. However, correct answer would provide premium to the
participants. It is important to enhance the skill of modeling and taking
decisions. Hence, you will be evaluated based on your engagement of
correct logical thinking, assimilating management issues, feasibility test of

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decisions, etc. Direct and indirect copying from other sources like websites,
teaching notes will invite heavy penalty on the participants, including debar
from the session(s) and grade demotion. Participants have to strictly adhere
to the anti-plagiarism policy of the Institute.
EVALUATION:
Component Weightage %
Class Participation 20
Individual Assignment 10
Group Project 15
Take Home Assignment NIL
Attendance NIL
Research Article Review/Discussion NIL
Any Other Component NIL
Mid Term / Quiz 15
End Term 40
TOTAL 100

DETAILS/INSTRUCTIONS FOR EVALUATION: NIL

For Project, Every group has to take up any real life problem they are
familiar with. They have to apply the quantitative techniques that are getting
discussed in the O.R. course. The deliverables are: (1) Presentation (2)
Report and (3) Spreadsheet Model.
The format of report will STRICTLY consist of:
1. Context
2. Decision Problem and its Formulation
3. Modelling Process
4. Model (Spreadsheet)
5. Sensitivity analysis
6. Interpreting Model Solutions
7. Decision Taken based on Model
TEXT BOOKS:
Operations Research: An Introduction. Hamdy A. Taha, Publisher: Pearson
India, 9th Edition, 2014
ADDITIONAL BOOKS / READINGS:
Course materials / Cases (To be provided before the session, if
required)

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 SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS:

Sn TOPIC INDICATIVE READING(S)

.
Models for Decision Chapter 1 and
1.
Making HBR article
2. Chapter 2 and Chapter 3
Introduction to Linear HBS Case: Merton Truck Company
3. Programming

4. Duality in Linear HBS Case: Merton Truck Company

Programming Post- Chapter 4
5. Optimality Analysis
Transportation and Chapter 5
6.
Assignments Problems
Transportation and Case: Shillong Biscuit Company (To be
7.
Assignments Problems provided before Session)
8. Game Theory To be provided before Session
Integer Linear Chapter 8
9.
Programming
Integer Programming: HBS Case: DHL Supply Chain
10.
Case Discussion
11. Chapter 6
Network Models
12. HBS Case: School Chaley Hum
13. Goal Programming To be provided before Session
14. Chapter 13
Decision Analysis
15.
16. Case Discussion Case will provided before Session
17. Chapter 16
Queuing Models
18.
Basics of Non-linear Chapter 19
19.
Programming
Project Presentation and
20.
Course Wrap-Up

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES: NIL

PARTICIPANTS ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. For the analysis of the Group-Project problem, participants may use
hypothetical data, to check the validity and sensitivity of the mathematical
model. Also length of the report is restricted to 10 pages.

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2. For individual assignment, Participants have to upload the mathematical
formulation and SOLVER solution.

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