The EURO Working Group on
Quantum Operational Research
EWG on Quantum OR
Our main purpose is to provide a platform for communication among researchers, practitioners and developers in the field of quantum operational research.
Quantum OR is a EURO Working Group, officially sanctioned and financially supported by EURO, the Association of European Operational Research Societies.
Quantum computing : A challenge for combinatorial problems
Operations Research (OR), which aims to solve a wide range of complex decision-making and optimization problems, including combinatorial optimization, is a field for which quantum computing represents a particularly important challenge.
Indeed, many OR problems are solved by non-linear complexity algorithms (Linear Programming, Constraint Programming, Heuristics, Meta-heuristics). These approaches have evolved significantly over the last 50 years in almost all application areas. However, whatever the chosen approach, the principle of these methods consists of partially enumerating the space of solutions using operators allowing one solution to be generated from another. Thus, given the generally exponential nature of the solving algorithms currently used on traditional computers, quantum computing presents interesting opportunities. This is why, the OR community has initiated a fundamental movement aimed at exploring quantum algorithms as an alternative to classical resolution methods.
An array of actions
Together, we are pioneering more efficient and faster operational research solutions for complex systems.
Applicability of quantum techniques
Quantum algorithms define a very different approach by allowing all solutions to be modeled simultaneously, opening very promising doors. In particular, a potential opportunity is to replace the classical neighborhood exploration operators of OR with operators based on quantum concepts, redefining the enumeration principle, which would offer a gain in complexity directly linked to the solution space.
Dissemination actions
In connection with the national and international initiatives, it is nessary to connect and train researchers in the OR community, who are not quantum-mechanics specialists. This new field of research can only develop with particular support for making quantum computing attractive and accessible to ultimately encourage OR researchers to take leadership in this field of application
Join the group
Follow Quantum Operational Research’s actions and join the community to help create a new era of optimization and efficiency.