Communicating Optimization Results Drake Bailey and Daniel Skempton - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Communicating Optimization Results

Authors:

Drake Bailey and Daniel Skempton

Advisor:

• Dr. Edgar Blanco

Sponsor:

Semiconductor Company

MIT SCM ResearchFest May 22-23, 2013

Research Objectives  Communication methods  Visualization approaches  New areas for improvement

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Introduction and Objectives

Introduction  Global supply chain  Developed optimization solver internally  Decentralized planners and centralized experts  Version updates every 18-24 months

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Adoption Desertion

Model Scope Usability Perceived utility of the tool Business value created

Optimization Model

Potential Uses Complexity

 38 surveys sent, 26 completed  Initial entry to senior level planners  21 questions; 7 sections

 Background (2)  Understanding Company X’s supply chain (2)  Training and Experience (4)  Complexity (4)  Effectiveness (4)  Visualization (2)  Open comment (3)

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Survey of Solver Users

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Training and Experience

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 The training I have had on the Solver was adequate. Additional training about the Solver would be helpful. Additional experience with the Solver would be helpful. N/A strongly agree agree neither disagree nor agree disagree strongly disagree

Please rate the following questions on Training and Experience:

46.2% 15.4% 38.5% 42.3% 3.8% 38.5% 7.7% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7%

Visualization

2 4 6 8 10 12 The Solver displays only necessary information for my role as a planner. The outputs/results of the Solver are not displayed effectively. N/A strongly agree agree neither disagree nor agree disagree strongly disagree

30.8%

30.8% 30.8% 3.8% 3.8 %

Please rate the following questions on Visualization:

24 Responses  Complexity (9)  Training and Experience (5)  Visualization (3)  Effectiveness (2)  Other (5)

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Challenges with the Solver?

(Open Comments)

“Being able to explain why the solver gave certain results vs. the expected results” “lack of training” “Updated training materials” “some reports show massive amount of data that is not relevant” “GUI is hard to read” “Lack of Excel functionality for input reports (copy/paste)”

The understanding of, support for, and communication around the Solver is very high; Current processes should stay in effect with only minor changes. Initial and version-update user training should be robust and application-oriented

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Data Visualization

MIT SCM ResearchFest May 22-23, 2013

To convey information through graphical representations of data

The understanding of, support for, and communication around the Solver is very high; Current processes should stay in effect with only minor changes. Initial and version-update user training should be robust and application-oriented

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…not just a software tool

“clutter & confusion are not attributes of information, they are failures of design”

• E. Tufte

The understanding of, support for, and communication around the Solver is very high; Current processes should stay in effect with only minor changes. Initial and version-update user training should be robust and application-oriented

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…but software can help

The understanding of, support for, and communication around the Solver is very high; Current processes should stay in effect with only minor changes. Initial and version-update user training should be robust and application-oriented

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…supply chain visualization

MIT SCM ResearchFest May 22-23, 2013

The understanding of, support for, and communication around the Solver is very high; Current processes should stay in effect with only minor changes. Initial and version-update user training should be robust and application-oriented

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…illustrating patterns

MIT SCM ResearchFest May 22-23, 2013

The understanding of, support for, and communication around the Solver is very high; Current processes should stay in effect with only minor changes. Initial and version-update user training should be robust and application-oriented

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…a world of possibilities

MIT SCM ResearchFest May 22-23, 2013

 The understanding of, support for, and communication around the Solver was better than expected.  Initial and version-update user training should be robust and application-oriented.  Innovative data visualization techniques may help increase understanding and lead to better communication.

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Key Insights