COMBINING PROBLEM STRUCTURING METHODS AND ANALYTICS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH: A SURVEY FROM 2015 TO 2021

In Operational Research (OR), we aim to support the decision-making process by exploring different approaches including analytics, modelling, problem structuring, simulation, optimization, amongst others. Its practical focus leads to the use of multi-methodological frameworks that may involve divergent approaches such as Hard OR and Problem Structuring Methods (PSM) / Soft OR. By combining PSM with analytical tools, that is by mixing qualitative and quantitative analysis, it is possible to offer much rounded solutions to different problems. In this research, we survey the combination of methods taking place between 2015 and 2021. We focused on the most used methodologies in Soft OR: Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA). Our results suggest that this combination is still very scarce and diverse, with a slight increase in recent years. In addition, there is a growing interest with tools related to the interpretation and assessment of verbal language.