The Fifth Column: On the Proper Training of Future Management II

In 1981, Interfaces published “On the proper training of future management” (Woolsey [Woolsey, Gene. 1981. The fifth column: On the proper training of future management. Interfaces11(4, August) 11–17.]), which described the MS/OR program here at the Colorado School of Mines. To our considerable surprise, many people have asked for an update on the program described in that article. This article is that update. The MS/OR program here at Mines is generally considered the most relentlessly applied program of any in the world. We expect all students in the program to do one or more projects for companies or government agencies before graduation. We further expect that these projects and dissertations will, with rare exceptions, address a real problem of interest to either a nearby firm or a governmental agency.