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ASP, The Art and Science of Practice: Increasing Productivity and Minimizing Errors in Operations Research Spreadsheet Models

Author

Listed:
  • Larry J. LeBlanc

    (Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203)

  • Michael R. Bartolacci

    (Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State University – Berks, Reading, Pennsylvania 19610)

  • Thomas A. Grossman

    (School of Management, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94117)

Abstract

Operations research practitioners often write spreadsheet software that is used, modified, and transferred to other people over time. They need techniques that enable them to quickly write error-free code whose accuracy can be easily verified and tested. Practitioner spreadsheet models often must be suitable for transfer to others and be robust in the sense that inadvertently introducing errors during reuse and updating is difficult. We examine some problem areas for spreadsheet design and programming and suggest techniques intended to increase productivity and reduce the risk of errors, especially in situations in which someone other than the original author is using or maintaining the spreadsheets.

Suggested Citation

  • Larry J. LeBlanc & Michael R. Bartolacci & Thomas A. Grossman, 2017. "ASP, The Art and Science of Practice: Increasing Productivity and Minimizing Errors in Operations Research Spreadsheet Models," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 47(3), pages 260-269, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:47:y:2017:i:3:p:260-269
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.2016.0856
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joel A. Shapiro & Warren B. Powell & David Bernstein, 2001. "A Flexible Java Representation for Uncertainty in Online Operations-Research Models," INFORMS Journal on Computing, INFORMS, vol. 13(1), pages 29-55, February.
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    3. Conway, D. G. & Ragsdale, C. T., 1997. "Modeling optimization problems in the unstructured world of spreadsheets," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 313-322, June.
    4. Hervé Thiriez, 2004. "Spreadsheet-Based Professional Modelling," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 4(2), pages 14-27, January.
    5. Larry J. LeBlanc & Thomas A. Grossman, 2008. "Introduction: The Use of Spreadsheet Software in the Application of Management Science and Operations Research," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 38(4), pages 225-227, August.
    6. Matthew Liberatore & Wenhong Luo, 2013. "ASP, The Art and Science of Practice: A Comparison of Technical and Soft Skill Requirements for Analytics and OR Professionals," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 43(2), pages 194-197, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Moritz Julius Ziegler & Kilian Seifried & Philipp Kuske & Moritz Fleischmann, 2019. "TRUMPF Uses a Mixed Integer Model as Decision Support for Strategic Production Network Design," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 49(3), pages 213-226, May.

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