The various definitions of Operations Research were presented in the Part-I of the series bring out the essential characteristics of operations research.They are

This means that an activity by any part of an organization has some effect on the activity of every other part. In other words, the optimum operation of one part of a system may not be the optimum operation for some other part. Therefore to evaluate any decision, one must identify all possible interactions and determine their impact on the organization as a whole. So, it is necessary that the problem be analyzed with painstaking care and all parts of the organization afected thoroughly examined. When all factors affecting the system(organization) are known, a mathematical model can be prepared. A solution to this model will optimize the profits to the system as a whole. Such a solution is called optimal or optimum solution.

2.The use of Interdisciplinary Teams

It has been recognised that people from different disciplines can produce more unique solutions than could be expected from the same number of people from a single discipline. As they can look at the problem from many different angles helping to achieve better solutions. The OR team can thus determine the optimum solution(or combination of optimum solutions).

Another reason for the existence of OR Teams is that knowledge is increasing at very fast rate. No single person can collect all the useful scientific information from all disciplines. Different specialists bring the latest techniques to gather scientific in the best form providing best result.

3.Application of Scientific Methods

OR teams cannot afford failure. So, they can only observe the system that they study, but cannot manipulate it. Therefore, they construct mathematical models and conduct their research on it. This often leads to more accurate results.

4. Uncovering of New problems

When research is conducted on a problem, we often uncover new problems trying out different solutions. Not all this problems need to be solved at the same time, but to derive maximum benefit, each one must be solved.

5.Improvement in the quality of Decisions

Applying scientific approach to problem solving can improve the quality of solution even though they are not the perfect solutions.

6. Use of Computer

Computers can perform large computations very accurately at a very short time. So, It is often used as a tool in OR.

7.Quantiative Solutions

OR approach provides the management with a quantitaive basis for decisions making.

8.Huaman Factors

OR approaches also takes care of the Human Factors to reach the optimal solution.