Arti Garrick |
Exploring the power of systems thinking in operational research
Last week, our team—Freddie, Steph, and Jeff—attended the OR66 conference at the University of Bangor, hosted by the Operational Research Society. This marked our first time exhibiting at the event following the launch of our operational research group within HEOR earlier this year. The conference provided an inspiring platform for us to dive into the world of operational research and systems thinking, igniting new ideas on how these approaches can be applied to real-world problems. It also allowed us to network with potential future collaborators and learn more about how other industries apply their minds and methods to help solve some big problems.
The OR66 conference brought together international experts from diverse fields, including operational research, data science, academia, analytics, government and engineering. Topics included AI and machine learning, responses to natural disasters and diverse community change, climate change and health and social care. We particularly enjoyed the hybrid modelling and simulation parallel sessions. A recurring theme throughout the sessions was the concept of systems thinking, which received its own dedicated track.
What is Systems Thinking?
Systems thinking offers a holistic approach to understanding complex systems. Rather than focusing on individual components in isolation, this method encourages analysts to consider the relationships and interactions between all parts of a system. This “big picture” perspective is particularly valuable in fields like healthcare, where numerous interconnected components—such as patients, providers, payer decisions, technologies, and policies—must work in harmony to achieve the best outcomes in a dynamic, ever changing environment.
One of the key takeaways from the conference was that anyone can learn systems thinking. It’s a mindset that can be developed through education and practice, making it accessible to professionals across various industries, from business and education, from government affairs to healthcare.
The Future of Systems Thinking in HEOR
At HEOR, we’re excited to integrate systems thinking into our problem-solving approach. By doing so, we can simplify and elevate our problem-solving capabilities and deliver optimised solutions for our clients. This shift will enhance our collaboration and allow us to tackle complex disease and healthcare delivery challenges with greater clarity and foresight.
The OR66 conference was a truly eye-opening experience, and we look forward to applying what we’ve learned in our future projects. As we embrace this new era of operational research, we’re confident that systems thinking will play a pivotal role in shaping the solutions of tomorrow.
Reach out to the team (enquiries@heor.co.uk) to learn more about HEOR’s systems thinking approach and our Total System Value™ offering to see how it’s helping our clients solve some of their most difficult challenges.