The Analytical Kaizen of D. Alan Ridgeway: Using Solver tool in Excel and Google Docs

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Using Solver tool in Excel and Google Docs

While I was working on the first problem in The Science of Decision Making book, it dawned on me that not only does Excel have a solver tool for Linear Programming problems, but Google docs spreadsheet also has a solver. So I tried the problem in both tools. Unfortunately I got different results. I tried the same steps over and over again to confirm if I make a mistake. So far they do not reconcile.

Results in Excel (which match the results in the book)

Results in Google Docs

So I will email Google to find out if there is something I am missing.

1 comment:

AnonymousOctober 13, 2011 at 9:57 PM
FYI: just out of curiosity I tried using the solver in Google spreadsheet and found the result matching that of Excel. I guess it should not be a surprise because this is a common LP problem.
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Glossary

Kaizen: The Japanese word for improvement with an emphasis towards continuous improvement. Kaizen is also a flexible mindset. Since conditions change, previous processes and assumptions should be tested to determine if they require improvement in the new conditions.

Operations Research: The data driven use of math, logic, and scientific process to improve decision making. Many of it's skills are standard curriculum in modern MBA programs. While its origins were developed for the needs of the military and manufacturing, the concepts have expanded to service industries and any organization seeking to improve quality, efficiency, and accurate decision making.