OPERATIONS RESEARCH PROJECTS • • • [DIVISION OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS]

 In the Quantitative Business Methods/Operations Research area of specialization students study leading-edge business concepts and industry best practices. This specialization has a particular emphasis on the importance of technology and its management through real-world approaches to operations research.

FORMER STUDENT PROJECTS

In 2008, Marty Gaupp's PhD thesis project worked on the open pit mine scheduling problem. His model was formulated as a mixed integer programming problem and he used numerous variable reduction techniques, cuts to strengthen the formulation, and lastly Lagrangian relaxation techniques to expedite the solution times for this complicated problem.

In 2007, Tom Morley's Master's thesis outlined a Microsoft Excel-based optimization for infrastructure investment project selection for Lockheed Martin facilities.  Returns on investments in infrastructure projects are difficult to quantify with classical measures, so multiattribute utility theory was employed to evaluate potential projects according to their strategic alignment with the organization's values.  Construction projects can involve considerable uncertainty in both cost and schedule, so chance constraints were applied to ensure allotted funds were spent in their designated funding cycles.

In 2006, Julia Phillips' PhD thesis project involves utilizing a value of information framework to improve ore collection and classification procedures. Since a mine must meet production targets for three ore types (differentiated by quality). Uncertainty of the extracted ore can lead to missing production targets, loss of revenue, and increased operation costs. The goal of this research is to utilize this VOI framework to improve the quality of decisions regarding ore classification and collection procedures.

In 2006, Michael Martinez's PhD thesis project concerns production scheduling for the Kiruna iron ore mine in Sweden. His model is a mixed-integer program that uses decomposition techniques to expedite the solution.

In 2005, Rick Carlson developed a scheduling, lot sizing, inventory and economic simulation model for Coors Tek (a.k.a. Coors Porcelain). The project incorporates both the mineral and economics side of the program.

In 2003, Steve Stoddard's, PhD thesis project involved working with the Department of the Interior's Mineral Management Service. The objective of the research was to maximize Federal natural gas royalties in the Gulf of Mexico. Principal to this objective was to determine, for each natural gas production area, whether the Government should collect royalties in-value (cash payments) or in-kind (physical molecules of gas). For royalties in-kind, the Government must transport, process, and sell the gas.
The research has led to development of data processing tools to accurately assess natural gas production volumes and royalties paid in-value. It has also led to development of a statistical goal price from which to evaluate royalties in-kind. Finally, Steve developed an optimization model to evaluate decision options. This has employed a partitioning technique to improve solution time over standard formulations.

In 1998, LTC Patrick Dubois developed a model that allowed Army environmental experts to concentrate on the most costly and politically sensitive issues during negotiations with the state of Utah over the State's attempt to develop more stringent hazardous waste laws to control the Army's demilitarization facility in Toole, Utah.

In 1998, LTC James Knowles constructed the first integrated computer simulation model capable of examining traditional measurements of effectiveness (MOEs) versus the new emphasis of command, control, communications, and computer (C4) MOEs. The uniqueness of the tool now allows a low-cost examination method of completing C4 systems before expending millions of dollars on R&D and prototype fielding. LTC Knowles received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his efforts.

In 1997, Richard Hewitt of U.S. West developed a method now used by U.S. West to identify the root causes of field failures. The method focused on failure identification and mitigation, and provided a basis for understanding network behavior relative to cost-effective reliability intervention measures. The vice president of Network Services wrote: "Thank you for continuing to educate people who solve problems and provide value to industry."

In 1997, CPT Ross Snare and CPT Rodney Roederer built a simulation model to test the present AFATADS Fire Control System for the U.S. Army Field Artillery.

In 1997, CPT Mark Grabau and Dave Ciemnoczolowski did a simulation study of the 16-oz line at the Coors Brewery. This study was accomplished before graduation.

In 1996, LTC Al Sweetser conducted a study of downtime on the largest power generator in the state of Colorado for Public Service Company of Colorado. He showed how approximately 12 hours could be saved on every shutdown/startup event. It is important to realize that this saving was generated on a project accomplished by LTC Sweetser before graduation.

In 1996, Scott Healy of Sabre Decision Systems did a budgetary reallocation model for his department at Sabre. He is now a Vice President of Sabre Decision Systems.

In 1994, CPT Michael Stehlik developed the annual personnel accession plan for the active Army for each fiscal year. He is mow a major in the army.

In 1993, Art Bertanzetti of the Coors Brewing Company finished the uniform Pallet Heights project for Coors. An audit verified both the weight increases of the trailers and productivity gains in the warehouse. In addition, the project improved line loading which resulted in increased railcars and trailers loaded per week. Dr. Bertanzetti is now director of the industrial engineering department at the Coors Brewery.

In 1993, Tom Wilger of Coors Brewing Company, completed a lift optimization project resulting in a capacity increase of the current pallet lieft system equal to that of installing additional life systems.

In 1989, David Baker of Hughes Aircraft, identified five categories of engineering labor charges that qualified for a federal corporate income tax credit previously unclaimed. He is, as of this writing, the CEO of Hughes Aircraft.

In 1988, Craig Murphy of Covia, Inc. (now Apollo Reservation Systems Corp.) created a resource accounting tool. He is now a Senior Vice President of Sabre Decision Systems.

In 1987, Richard Ratliff created a real-time inventory redistribution system for American Airlines that monitored inventory levels at stations and created automated loans between them to prevent potential parts shortages. Mr. Ratliff became the youngest Vice President of Sabre Decisions Systems at that time.

In 1983, Thomas Hollaran did a study of station manpower planning for United Airlines. He is now a Vice President of Sabre Dicision Systems.

In 1981, Ruth Maurer did a study that exempted the City of Golden waste treatment process from the Denver Regional Council of Governments. She is now the Division Head of the management Track at Walden University.

In 1976, Lester Crum, in his first three weeks with Pillsbury, did a PERT/CPM study on the pie-mix process at Pillsbury.