Perspectives on MS Applications—All Around the Model

In previous columns, I have discussed the character of suitable environments for successful implementation of management science techniques. There are three methods of team organization and team interrelationships with management which can be utilized in achieving implementation. Each has its advantages, each its disadvantages. They are: (1) The wholly management science team. This is a team consisting entirely of management science personnel, related computer science people, analysts, and statisticians, (2) The management science team with communication to management. This team consists largely of management science personnel as in #1 above, but with a frequent reporting relationship to middle management and with access to middle management's advice and counsel, and (3) The management science/management team. This team consists of a true working partnership of members of the management science group, similar to #1 above, but with equal working partners from among other functions within the organization. Regular and planned working relationship with middle management levels and regularly scheduled meetings with top management are also part of this type of team effort. The meetings with top management are convened to provide status reports, request guidance, and mid-project judgments, and to keep both sides abreast of the thinking of the other.