Accession Number:

ADA576179

Title:

Optimization and Persistence

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA DEPT OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH

Personal Author(s):

• Brown, Gerald G.
• Dell, Robert F.
• Wood, R. K.

Report Date:

1997-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

25.0

Abstract:

Most optimization-based decision support systems are used repeatedly with only modest changes to input data from scenario to scenario. Unfortunately, optimization mathematical programming has a well-deserved reputation for amplifying small input changes into drastically different solutions. A previously optimal solution, or a slight variation of one, may still be nearly optimal in a new scenario and managerially preferable to a dramatically different solution that is mathematically optimal. Mathematical programming models can be stated and solved so that they exhibit varying degrees of persistence with respect to previous values of variables, constraints, or even exogenous considerations. We use case studies to highlight how modeling with persistence has improved managerial acceptance and describe how to incorporate persistence as an intrinsic feature of any optimization model.

Descriptors:

• *DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
• *OPTIMIZATION
• CASE STUDIES
• MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING
• SCENARIOS
• STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
• SUBMARINES

Subject Categories:

• Operations Research
• Computer Programming and Software

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE