A professional who conducts analyses of management and operational problems and formulates mathematical or simulation models of problem for solution by computers or other methods. Responsibilities include:

• Analyzes problem in terms of management information and conceptualizes and defines problem.
• Studies information and selects plan from competitive proposals that affords maximum probability of profit or effectiveness in relation to cost or risk.
• Prepares model of problem in form of one or several equations that relates constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives and their numerical parameters.
• Defines data requirements and gathers and validates information applying judgment and statistical tests.
• Specifies manipulative or computational methods to be applied to model.
• Performs validation and testing of model to ensure adequacy, or determines need for reformulation.
• Prepares reports to management defining problem, evaluation, and possible solution.
• Evaluates implementation and effectiveness of research.
• May design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models where insufficient data exists to formulate model.
• May specialize in research and preparation of contract proposals specifying competence of organization to perform research, development, or production work.
• May develop and apply time and cost networks, such as Program Evaluation and Review Techniques, to plan and control large projects.
• May work in association with engineers, scientists, and management personnel in business, government, health, transportation, energy, manufacturing, environmental sciences or other technologies.