Operations Research Analyst

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Statisticians (2161.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries (C061) 
• 2011 NOC: Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries (2161) 
• 2016 NOC: Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries (2161) 
• 2021 NOC: Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries (21210) 

Operations research analysts use analytical methods, mathematical modelling techniques and information technology to predict system performance. They can then compare outcomes of alternative strategies or ways of managing complex systems.

Operations research analysis can be applied to a wide variety of management problems. For example, it may be used by:

• Emergency medical services to plan the deployment of ambulances
• Governments to analyze the flow of patients through a health care system
• Hospitals to design blood-banking systems or schedule staff and operating rooms
• Police departments to devise shift schedules that minimize response time and meet budget and human resource needs
• Municipalities to decide where a hazardous waste facility should be located
• Railway companies to schedule and optimize the use of rolling stock
• Airlines to develop pricing strategies, schedule crews and aircraft, and develop disaster recovery plans
• Manufacturing companies to design or increase the efficiency of production systems
• Oil companies to evaluate prospective oil or gas projects
• Freight forwarders and transportation companies to develop and plan vehicle routes
• Logistic companies to design long-term plans for warehouse location and consolidation
• Service-intensive companies to schedule the most efficient worker allocation
• Forestry companies to help decide how to manage large tracts of forest land
• Investment firms to manage risk and optimize portfolios

In general, operations research analysts:

• Meet with decision makers to identify problems and clarify management objectives
• Observe the current system in operation, if necessary and possible
• Manage and analyze large amounts of data that describe how systems operate and perform
• Use scientific methods to develop mathematical models that can be used to predict how systems will behave if different courses of action are taken
• Use computers to develop and run models and investigate the merits of alternate courses of action

Sometimes, operations research analysts work as part of interdisciplinary teams that include such diverse professionals as economists, engineers and managers.

Operations research analysts usually work in office environments in large organizations or consulting firms. Since the work is project oriented, some overtime may be required to meet project deadlines. However, hours of work are often flexible. Some travel may be required to study systems in operation.

Most operations research analysts are employed in the head offices of large process, manufacturing and service firms. Some are employed by:

• Consulting firms
• Universities
• Logistic firms
• Private research institutions
• Government departments

Entry level operations research analysts start working on well-defined problems and progress to less clear-cut problems. Experienced analysts may start their own consulting businesses or move into other management positions.

Operations research analysts are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2161: Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services [pdf]
• Educational Services [pdf]
• Public Administration [pdf]
• Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf]

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

In Alberta, the 2161: Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 10% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Operational Research Society (CORS) website: cors.ca

Certified Analytics Professional Program website: certifiedanalytics.org

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