Operations research is linked to the decision-making process and requires the involvement of the managers who are responsible for making policies and for managing family planning programs. Managers must participate in many of the operations research activities, including identifying problems, planning and setting objectives for the research, and developing strategies for disseminating and implementing any new changes or innovations.

The major steps in the operations research approach are summarized below.

1. Identify service delivery problems that are related to anticipated changes in the environment
   

    





• Define, analyze, and prioritize the problems.
  


• Select a specific problem(s) for study.
  


2. Develop management interventions to solve the problem.
   


3. Test the interventions to determine their impact.
   

    
   

   
   
   • Determine how you will test the impact of the proposed solution.
   
   
   • Conduct the test and collect the data required.
   
   
   • Evaluate and modify the solution as necessary.
   
   

    



4. Disseminate the findings of the research. Inform key managers of the research findings and their potential impact on the delivery of services.
   


5. Apply the findings of the research to improve program planning and operations.