Analyst’s role

Finding a final solution to problem (6.1) is called a solution process. It usually involves the DM and an analyst. An analyst can be a human being or a computer program. The analyst s role is to support the DM and generate information for the DM. Let us emphasize that the DM is not assumed to know multi-objective optimization theory or methods but (s)he is supposed to be an expert in the problem domain, that is, understand the application considered and have insight into the problem. Based on that, (s)he is supposed to be able to specify preference information related to the objectives considered and different solutions. The DM can be, e.g., a designer. The task of a multi-objective optimization method is to help the DM in finding the most preferred solution as the final one. The most preferred solution is a Pareto optimal solution which is satisfactory for the DM. 

In this model, the ANALYST S role fundamentally changes from one of a technician to that of a supervisor of the expert system, ACanalyst. However, the MANAGER S role remains the same, although he or she now has the assistance of both the ANALYST and ACexpert in monitoring the... 

When a sample is presented to the analyst, the first requirement is to ascertain what the sample is and the substances present for reasons of safe handling, and to find out whether it has been contaminated, accidentally or maliciously. An important part of the analyst s task is the determination of how much of a particular component is present and such a requirement offers a greater challenge to the analyst. This part of the task falls into the realm of quantitative analysis and requires the application of sophisticated techniques used by intelligent and well-trained personnel. With increasing demands for higher standards in the quality of raw materials and finished products - be it foods, pharmaceuticals, industrial, forensics, or whatever - analytical science plays a very important role in ensuring that these standards are maintained. 

Within automobile management in a plant environment, traditional thinking led to the belief that a chemist s role was strictly within the laboratory in an analytical capacity or as support for some chemical system such as coolant (soluble oil), paint, or lubrication systems. In addition to this were the roles as analyst for a failed component and inspector in quality control for incoming raw materials. In this chapter, we will discuss these roles and briefly focus on some of the necessary theory and technology in fulfilling them. We will again see how the imperatives mentioned in Chapter 1 come into play within the auto industry and in the chemist s role, specifically. 

Figure 2 also underscores the fact that an analyst s primary activities are of a problem-oriented nature, determined largely by the needs of others. The problems themselves, represented here by the outermost circle, might originate almost anywhere within the material world, Analysis can even play a significant role in the very definition of a scientific investigation. Consider the case of archaeology. for example, a considerable part of which is now "archaeometry. simply a specialized type of analysis. 

In many analyses, fhe compound(s) of inferesf are found as par of a complex mixfure and fhe role of fhe chromatographic technique is to provide separation of fhe components of that mixture to allow their identification or quantitative determination. From a qualitative perspective, the main limitation of chromatography in isolation is its inability to provide an unequivocal identification of the components of a mixture even if they can be completely separated from each other. Identification is based on the comparison of the retention characteristics, simplistically the retention time, of an unknown with those of reference materials determined under identical experimental conditions. There are, however, so many compounds in existence that even if the retention characteristics of an unknown and a reference material are, within the limits of experimental error, identical, the analyst cannot say with absolute certainty that the two compounds are the same. Despite a range of chromatographic conditions being available to the analyst, it is not always possible to effect complete separation of all of the components of a mixture and this may prevent the precise and accurate quantitative determination of the analyte(s) of interest. 

Quantitative methodology employing mass spectrometry usually involves selected-ion monitoring (see Section 3.5.2.1) or selected-decomposition monitoring (see Section 3.4.2.4) in which a small number of ions or decompositions of ions specific to the compound(s) of interest are monitored. It is the role of the analyst to choose these ions/decompositions, in association with chromatographic performance, to provide sensitivity and selectivity such that when incorporated into a method the required analyses may be carried out with adequate precision and accuracy. 

If they are not software people, your role as analyst is to interpret between them and the formal models. The models represent your team s clear understanding of what you are to provide. By writing them, you are taking the fuzzy and inconsistent desires of the client, crystallizing them into a more precise form, exposing the questions you need to ask, and going back to the client with questions, scenarios, storyboards, proactive proposals of precise definitions of terms and requirements, and prototypes (see Figure 5.1). The cycle con-... 

Per Lekander is equity analyst at the UBS Investment Research. UBS is a premier global financial services firm offering wealth management, investment banking, asset management and business banking services to clients. Lekander s main research interests are concentrated on the emerging carbon market and the related impact of the EU ETS, with a particular focus on the role of the power sector. 

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