Operations

Operations is a broad term that refers to the actions and processes by which inputs are transformed into outputs. In mathematics, an operation is an action that takes operands and produces a result, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. More complex operations extend to exponentiation, roots, modular arithmetic, and function evaluation.

In computing, operations are tasks performed by a processor on data, including arithmetic and logic operations, data movement, and control instructions. In science and engineering, operations describe steps in experiments, manufacturing processes, and system interactions that convert materials or information into desired outputs.

In business, operations denote the day-to-day activities involved in producing goods or delivering services. Operations management focuses on designing, controlling, and improving these processes to create value, encompassing capacity planning, process design, quality control, transportation and inventory management, and logistics.

Other uses include military operations, which are planned campaigns of action aimed at achieving strategic objectives, and surgical operations, which are procedures performed to diagnose, treat, or manage medical conditions. Operations research is a related field that applies mathematical methods to decision problems in order to optimize efficiency, effectiveness, and resource use across various domains.