Micro-Credential in Systems Optimization

Through a combination of lectures, exercises and hands-on engagement, you will explore extreme solutions to help identify the best options in a given situation. You will learn:

1. Modeling Techniques:
   Learn how to model real world situations as problems that can be solved analytically.
2. Visualizing the Possibilities:
   Learn to visualize problems as graphical models to show the range of feasible solutions.
3. Mathematical Programming:
   Represent possibilities as inequalities and solve using Linear Programming.
4. Sensitivity Analysis:
   Learn to negotiate better by understanding what to bargain for and how hard, identifying which variables and constraints matter, and recognizing where the slack lies.
5. Designing Real World Problems as Network Flow Models:
   Learn how to convert real-life problems into effective network flow models to help you make the most of your time, money, and resources.
6. Case Study:
   Apply your knowledge through a detailed network flow case study.
7. MYOP (Model Your Own Problem):
   Put your skills into practice by designing a model for a problem of your choice.

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Evaluate business problems using management science techniques
  Use simple math and Excel to model real-world business challenges and find practical solutions.
• Synthesize technical outcomes to enhance managerial decisions-making
  Understand how reliable and applicable the solutions are in real-world scenarios.

• Business and Operations Managers
  Learn optimization techniques to make smarter strategic decisions on resource allocation, inventory, scheduling, and network design.
• Analysts and Consultants
  Enhance your ability to optimize processes and solve complex operational and strategic challenges for clients.
• Entrepreneurs and Startups
  Discover effective strategies to maximize limited resources for production, distribution, and service delivery.
• Technology and Software Developers
  Gain practical skills to integrate optimization techniques into software for logistics, operations, and decision support.

A basic understanding of high school algebra and calculus will be helpful. Participants should be comfortable using spreadsheets. Experience with Excel Solver is a plus but not required.

Reviewing optimization concepts from Khan Academy can provide a good head start.

Derivative applications | Khan Academy HERE.