Join us for the 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference! 

Analytics projects have many moving pieces beyond the models themselves. In this track, we discuss infrastructure, data delivery, data governance, and the rest of the analytics tools and technology stack which support data projects. By using the right kinds of tools and technologies, we can help analytics projects be more reliable and successful. Within this track, industry leaders will explain how engineering, architecture, and data delivery through visualization or other applications complement the models that drive decisions. This track provides a robust survey of the analytics ecosystem.

Elements of applying analytics methods across a range of business use cases.

This track brings together visionary analytics leaders to share strategies for success. Leader will discuss the best practices in guiding teams and organizations through the evolving analytics landscape. The focus will be on aligning analytics initiatives with business goals, fostering ethical practices, and cultivating an innovative analytics culture. Attendees will learn how to leverage new tools, grow their team, and oversee successful execution for long-term success in a data-rich world.

Successful analytics projects hinge on a combination of diverse technical and interpersonal skills aligned with organizational goals. When you factor in the significant uncertainty at the outset of these projects, it becomes crystal clear why following a structured process is crucial. In this track, speakers will discuss how the formulation of the problem statement and the selected approach can profoundly influence both the workflow and the ultimate outcomes.

In the age of digital technology, organizations have transformed their internal operations significantly, evolving from reliance on paper-based systems through using advanced computer systems for in-depth analysis, to furthering the analysis with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other analytics methods. This session will feature industry leaders discussing how functions like Human Resources, Marketing, Accounting, and Finance are leveraging data-driven insights through analytical modeling and decision science to enhance their operations and decision-making processes. Join us to explore this exciting new age of organizational effectiveness!

Underestimated in the realm of successful project implementation is the development and application of critical soft skills. These skills, which encompass communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving, hold the potential to significantly influence a project’s capacity to generate meaningful organizational impact. Moreover, the cultivation of these soft skills is not only pivotal for the immediate success of projects but also plays a crucial role in the long-term career development of individuals. By enhancing these aspects, professionals are better equipped to navigate complex work environments, foster collaborative relationships, and drive innovation, thereby advancing their career trajectories and contributing to the overall growth and adaptability of an organization.

Decision Analytics is at the forefront of transforming how organizations approach complex challenges and strategic planning. This track focuses on the advanced methodologies and frameworks that support effective decision-making, helping leaders optimize choices in uncertain environments. Gain insights into how analytics can refine decision processes, enhance strategic clarity, and drive impactful outcomes. Whether you’re looking to improve operational efficiency or navigate high-stakes scenarios, this track offers cutting-edge approaches to mastering the art of decision-making in business.

Often referred to as “The Nobel Prize” of O.R. and advanced analytics, the Franz Edelman Award Competition attests to the contributions of operations research and analytics in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Since its inception, cumulative benefits from Edelman finalist projects have topped $419 billion. Edelman finalist teams have improved organizational efficiency, increased profits, brought better products to consumers, helped foster peace negotiations, and saved lives. The purpose of the Franz Edelman Competition is to recognize and reward outstanding examples of operations research, management science, and advanced analytics in practice in the world.

New analytical methods unlock new products, improvements, and capabilities. This track explores cutting-edge analytical methods, theoretical advancements, and applications that are shaping industries and daily life. Attendees can expect insights into the latest advancements, practical tips for implementation, and real-world case studies. Topics will feature emerging areas such as generative AI, knowledge graphs, causal inference, and other forward-looking methods.

Game theory is used to help produce the ideal decision given a set of constraints and the potential actions of other participants in the “game.” Some games have two parties with similar goals that are close to zero sum (such as sports) where some can involve more parties with the idea of multiple parties coming out ahead (business deals and international trade). This track has applications ranging from determining whether to enter a new market, creating an advertising strategy, or deciding whether to “Go for 2” in the fourth quarter of a football game. This track will go through different scenarios in which analytics enhances game theory and strategic decision-making.

Practical applications of new concepts and technologies being implemented within a range of business use cases.

INFORMS grants several prestigious Institute-wide prizes and awards for meritorious achievement each year. This track will feature presentations for the Wagner Prize, INFORMS Prize, and UPS George D. Smith Prize winner. Innovative Applications in Analytics Award (IAAA) finalists will also present. Special sessions include presentations hosted by our Certified Analytics Professional (CAP®) Program, Women in OR/MS, INFORMS Career Studio, and the Early Career Professionals’ Network.

Practical applications of analytics within complex logistics use cases to improve effectiveness and efficiency.

Machine Learning and AI methods continue to yield practical business benefit, in use cases involving improved predictions of system or customer behavior, or combined with optimization methods to prescribe high-impact actions. Talks in this track showcase the decisions framed, analytics applied and results obtained.

Optimization methods continue to yield practical business benefit in use cases that combine prescriptive analytics with user business acumen for high-impact actions to improve organization performance. This track showcases the decisions framed, analytics applied, and results obtained.

This track delves into predictive analytics, leveraging machine learning and AI techniques to transform decision-making across industries. As organizations increasingly rely on data to anticipate trends and forecast outcomes, this track highlights innovative application of predictive models. Presentations will focus on the development and deployment of advanced algorithms, showcasing how predictive analytics enables organizations to uncover patterns, drive actionable insights, and improve decision accuracy across various sectors. As organizations increasingly rely on data to anticipate trends and forecast outcomes, this track highlights innovative applications of predictive models.

Practical applications of new concepts and technologies being implemented within supply chain analytics programs to maximize efficiencies while minimizing business disruptions.

Supply chain leaders discuss a rapidly transforming ecosystem shaped by a proliferation of data applications for management, logistics, and resiliency. The AI revolution is pushing rapid application of affiliated emerging concepts and technologies across supply chain and logistics. Decision support tools and machine learning technologies are disrupting business and driving new policies, products, services, and channels to increase revenue. During this track, industry leaders will share how they are delivering practical AI solutions to maximize efficiency and minimize business disruption.

Technology Showcases from participating exhibitors are 50-minute, theater-style sessions that provide educational information and case studies on relevant analytics concepts using their products and services.