O& M : A new look at one of the older professions

Any evaluation of O&M should be based on the constraints of its “real world” problem-solving environment, as well as the character of techniques of data collection and project analysis. The demands of several conflicting roles, time pressures, and internal and external conflicts all influence, even bias, the problem-solving process. Traditional scientific management methods and techniques of social science research are used, but both have serious problems either of logic or of applicability to OU's needs. Given the circumstances and problems, O&M analysts can only “satisfice”, relying heavily on informed insight based on the best available methods. Recognizing that O&M is not research or scientific, improvement must come by concern for selecting techniques better suited to Om's needs, better project planning, and more flexible study execution.