Perspectives on MS Applications—All Around the Model

In my column in the February 1975 issue of Interfaces, I addressed the question of “Management Science in a Period of Uncertainty,” and developed an operating strategy for the management science organization in a recessionary period. As I indicated at that time, having written that column four months earlier, I was taking some measure of risk in writing on the subject of operating strategy during a recession, since the recession at that time was not yet upon us. It appears it did occur and hopefully my words were helpful.

Now we are apparently entering a new period, a period in which the economic curve has swung back upward and it seems in order to propose an operating strategy for the management science group during a period of recovery. Of importance is that this means a period of greater management confidence in the future. And it is this management confidence which is perhaps the most critical factor in considering our next operating strategy. For it is confidence in the future which causes management to plan for the future. This means strategic planning, an area where management science can perhaps make its greatest contributions.