Now that the steps of OR have been identified, the tools to solve the problem must be described. These models or algorithms are utilized in phase 3-5 to produce results and data collection. Models can be broken into two categories. They are the deterministic and stochastic. Each model is created to specify a certain problem or application needed to be solved.
Deterministic models are the simplest types.
There are no uncertain or probabilistic variables and no optimization. They are straightforward and utilize formulas and graphs to represent the data. Extensively used in problems of blending ingredients, scheduling, manpower planning and economic planning. This is a special case of Linear Programming. This involves problems where one resource is stored or made in several locations and needed in several other locations, e.g. warehousing and distribution.