About us
Operations research, applied to real decisions
Lateral Eco Solutions is an operations research consultancy. We use mathematical modelling, data analysis and optimisation to help institutions and decision-makers choose the best course of action, then we stay involved to help put that decision into practice.
The discipline
What is operations research?
Operations research is the discipline of using analytical methods to make better decisions. It combines mathematical modelling, statistics and optimisation to compare options when budgets, people, equipment and time are limited, and to identify the option that best meets an organisation's goals.
Many organisations already report on what happened, and some forecast what is likely to happen. We focus on the next step: prescriptive analytics, which recommends what to do. Our models are built from your current and historical data, and every recommendation comes with the reasoning behind it.
How we work
From diagnosis to implementation
Our work is tailored to each organisation, but the method is consistent. Every engagement moves through the same four stages, and we stay involved until the recommendation is working in practice.
- 01
Diagnose
We start by understanding your situation: objectives, constraints, available data and how decisions are made today. Everything that follows is tailored to what we find.
- 02
Model
We collate current and historical data and build a model of the decision, capturing the trade-offs between cost, capacity, time and outcomes.
- 03
Optimise
Optimisation methods search the options for the course of action that best meets your goals within your constraints, and show what each alternative would cost.
- 04
Implement
We help put the recommendation into practice and check that it delivers, because an optimal plan only matters once it is in use.
Principles
What guides our work
Four commitments shape how we diagnose problems, build models and make recommendations.
Evidence before opinion
Recommendations rest on data and transparent models, so you can see why a decision is the right one.
Tailored, never templated
Every engagement starts with a diagnosis of your situation. Solutions are designed for your organisation, not copied from the last one.
Built to be implemented
We stay involved through implementation, because a plan that is never used improves nothing.
Resources used well
Optimisation is about achieving more with what you have, which makes better decisions good for budgets and for the environment.
Who we work with
Who do we work with?
We work with institutions, decision-makers and industry-leading companies that want their choices backed by evidence.
Government and public institutions
Ministries and public bodies developing and implementing policy, including our work with the Ministry of Health.
Health institutions
Organisations that need to plan services, maintain medical equipment and buy wisely.
Industry-leading companies
Businesses that want to optimise their resources through a tailored diagnosis and implementation.
Building owners and managers
Teams that want to understand how their facilities perform and where resources are being lost.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions we hear most about operations research and how we work.
What is operations research?
Operations research is the use of analytical methods, such as mathematical modelling, statistics and optimisation, to make better decisions. It helps organisations choose between options when money, people, equipment and time are limited.
What is prescriptive analytics?
Prescriptive analytics recommends what to do. Descriptive analytics reports what happened and predictive analytics forecasts what is likely. Prescriptive analytics goes a step further and uses optimisation to find the best course of action for your goals and constraints.
Who does Lateral Eco Solutions work with?
We work with institutions, decision-makers and industry-leading companies. Our experience includes supporting the Ministry of Health with national policy development and implementation, alongside work in healthcare, procurement and the built environment.
How does an engagement start?
Every engagement starts with a diagnosis. We learn about your objectives, constraints and data, then propose an approach tailored to your organisation. Send us a message through the contact page to start that conversation.
Do you only give recommendations?
No. We design solutions and support their implementation, so recommendations become working changes in your organisation rather than reports on a shelf.
Work with us
Have a decision that deserves better evidence?
Tell us what you are trying to decide. We will start with a diagnosis of your situation and show you where optimisation can help.
