A recent highlight, in the world of operational research and optimization, was the annual gathering we refer to as COW - the Crew and fleet Optimization Workshop. On 19-20 September, around 100+ experts within Boeing met up in Gothenburg for a two-day agenda packed with presentations on the latest research and breakthroughs in the field.
We met up with Emily Curry, Product Owner and Optimization Expert at Jeppesen in Gothenburg, to ask her a few questions about the event:
Emily, why is this workshop important?
- COW has become something of a focal point for our OR experts in Boeing world-wide. This year we had experts from seven different sites attending. By facilitating for meeting up and sharing details about their research, we create a space for inspiring discussions that elevate each other’s insights and ideas. The feedback we receive tells us it is a very energizing highlight each year that is much appreciated. The interactions during breaks and evenings are perhaps just as important as the presentations. This year we had 17 presentations, all of excellent quality and some of them quite thought-provocative.
Is it possible to point to any trends or highlights? - There was good interest and discussions around solving day of operation disruptions in new novel ways using machine learning and optimization in combination. Then, what always amazes me, is the continued efforts and results in improving pairing and rostering optimization capabilities and performance. Even now, some +30 years after first coming into use, there is still algorithmic advances possible with tangible improvements that enables taking on bigger and more complex problems such as optimizing across resources or for evolving rules. Great to hear. Congrats to a well-run event. Looking forward to next year!