Technomics’ employees attended the 85th Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Symposium held at USMA West Point this June. 

Technomics’ employees attended the 85th Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Symposium held at USMA West Point this June. The Symposium was a four day event that included over 500 sessions in 33 different working groups, Special Sessions, demos, tutorials, and continuing education courses. Working groups covered a wide variety of analytical areas in the defense sector, including Readiness, Manpower and Personnel, Decision Analysis, and Cost Analysis.

The symposium provided an opportunity for analysts to learn, teach, network, and reconnect with old colleagues and friends. The MORS’ social event on Tuesday evening gathered a sold out crowd to enjoy appetizers and drinks in a room overlooking the Army football field. The atmosphere cultivated many interesting conversations on issues and resolutions our community has faced in the past and will face in the future.

Technomics-own Ben Truskin presented a paper within the Cost Analysis working group on his work for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Cost and Acquisition Assessment Group (CAAG). Specifically he discussed methodologies for integrating risk into cost estimates, focusing on a combination of two approaches found in the Joint Agency Cost Schedule Risk and Uncertainty Handbook - Cost Informed by Schedule Method (CISM) and an Enhanced Scenario-Based Method. Not only was the material well received, but proved to be a relevant topic within the cost community, complementing other work being presented.

MORS Symposium alum Emily Foglia enjoyed her third Symposium by continuing her work as a Junior Ambassador to the Institutional and Industry Partners Committee. She presented her ideas on how to better organize and visualize continuing education opportunities within MORS, soliciting feedback from both attendees and MORS’ leadership. The goal of the effort was to increase awareness of and participation in the many opportunities the Society offers outside of the annual symposium.  Maggie Dozier enjoyed her first Symposium experience by soaking in presentations, networking with other analysts, and becoming both a MORS’ member and future Junior Ambassador!

The 86th Symposium will be held at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, CA, but there are plenty of events and learning opportunities to participate in over the coming year! For more information on the Society and upcoming events, consult the Society’s website at http://www.mors.org/.