ASP, The Art and Science of Practice: A Comparison of Technical and Soft Skill Requirements for Analytics and OR Professionals

Abstract

Analytics is having an increasing impact on decision making and performance within many organizations. To effectively compete in the analytics movement, operations research (OR) professionals need to understand the differences and similarities between analytics and OR. In this paper, we explore these differences and commonalities in terms of quantitative and soft skills. We support this discussion with the results of a survey of INFORMS members and readers of Analytics magazine. We find that the top five quantitative skills required for analytics are quite different from those required for OR professionals. However, the same set of soft skills is ranked within the top five for both fields. To better participate in the analytics revolution, OR professionals need to place added emphasis on data management and analysis skills, and strengthen their business-oriented skills in process and change management. Implications for OR professionals, academic institutions, and INFORMS are offered.