Frances O'Brien

Dr. Frances O'Brien is a Teaching Professor at the Warwick Business School (WBS), University of Warwick, affiliated with the ISM-Analytics (ISMA) Group. She specializes in strategy development frameworks, scenario planning, and operational research methodologies. Her work emphasizes the application of analytical tools to support organizational strategic processes and visioning.

Dr. O'Brien teaches modules such as Operational Research for Strategic Planning and Problem Structuring across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the Executive MBA and Global Online MBA. Her research focuses on strategic development methodologies, soft skills for analytics professionals, and the integration of business analytics in strategic decision-making.

Notable contributions include advancing scenario planning techniques, analyzing visioning methodologies in UK organizations, and co-authoring the influential book Supporting Strategy: Frameworks, Methods and Models. She is a Fellow of the UK Operational Research Society and actively contributes to professional networks like the Women In OR & Analytics Network.

Her recent publications explore soft OR contributions to practice, scenario analysis for wicked problems, and the role of analytics in strategy processes. Dr. O’Brien’s work bridges academic research and practical application, emphasizing actionable insights for leadership teams.