Feature Article—Decision-Aiding Models: Validation, Assessment, and Related Issues for Policy Analysis

The extension of OR decision-aiding models and OR methodology from operational and technological settings to the field of policy analysis has caused analysts and users to question whether the OR process can handle the requirements of this new area. This paper reviews the evolving nature of OR methodology, the difficulties that have arisen in applying it, and the attempts to improve the use of OR methodology in policy analysis. The analyst's role in providing information to the user to determine whether and how a specific OR model can be used as a decision aid is emphasized. Relevant information for the analyst to provide covers model validation, assessment, utility, confidence and documentation.