INFORMS

INFORMS, the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, is a global professional society focused on operations research, management science, and analytics. It supports the development and application of quantitative methods to improve decision making in business, engineering, healthcare, government, and other sectors. The organization aims to advance theory and practice, promote education and professional development, and encourage the responsible use of data-driven analysis.

History and scope: INFORMS was formed in 1995 through the merger of two predecessor organizations, the Operations Research Society of America (founded 1952) and The Institute of Management Sciences (founded 1953). The association serves a diverse membership of academics, practitioners, researchers, and students worldwide, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of its fields.

Activities and publications: INFORMS publishes a range of scholarly journals and a practitioner-focused magazine, and it provides educational resources and professional development tools. It sponsors conferences and meetings, most notably the INFORMS Annual Meeting, which brings together researchers and practitioners to share advances in theory and application. The society supports numerous sections and special interest groups that cover topics such as optimization, analytics, supply chain management, and healthcare. It also maintains awards and recognition programs to honor outstanding contributions in research, teaching, and practice.

Impact and community: The INFORMS community encompasses university researchers, industry professionals, consultants, and policymakers who apply quantitative methods to real-world problems. Through publications, conferences, and educational resources, INFORMS promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration and the dissemination of best practices in operations research and analytics.