Advanced optimization techniques are often  necessary to solve real problems in health care. Techniques like goal  programming and data envelopment analysis are often used to solve  multiple objective problems, such as minimizing cost while maximizing  access measures. Other advanced techniques are often required for  problems that sometimes seem straightforward. Although you may not  encounter the use of advanced optimization techniques on a day-to-day  basis, understanding the methodology and application of these techniques  is a valuable skill for the healthcare administration leader.

For this Assignment, review the resources for  this week. Reflect on, and consider, the advanced optimization  techniques highlighted. Think about how you might apply these advanced  optimization techniques to healthcare delivery challenges in a health  services organization.

For Chapter 14, problems 80 and 90, you will need to download the files P14_80.xlsx and P14_90.xlsx from the textbook companion website http://www.cengage.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9781305947542.  Under “Book Resources”, click on “Student Downloads” to view the  downloadable files. Click “Problem Files” and download the zipped file  1305947541_538885.zip. Open the zipped file, and select folder “Problem  Files” and then select folder “Chapter 14” to access the files P14_80.xlsx and P14_90.xlsx.

The Assignment: (3–5 pages)

• Complete Problem 80 (pharmaceutical company) and Problem 90 (brain tumor) on pages 751 and 753 of your course text.

Note: You will be using Excel and Solver for this Assignment.