Optimization has a range of applications. It is best applied when you're deciding among many alternatives. One of the areas where optimization can have a significant impact is planning. To answer these planning questions, businesses face a series of hurdles. First, they need to assemble the data to get a true picture of their business. Second, evaluate options by exploring trade-offs and asking, "what if" questions. Lastly, identifying the best path forward. Businesses can link data, from across their organization in an environment they know and evaluate possible planning scenarios. Organizations can capture more value in the marketplace by improving operations, save money by managing resources more effectively, and mitigate risk by gaining insight into how decisions can impact their business. The power of optimization, however, isn't in finding a path, it's in finding the right path. Read more at: : http://www.ibmbigdatahub.com/blog/what-optimization-and-how-it-improves-planning-outcomes