Although most of our personnel are trained in quantitative disciplines, SYSTAN recognizes that most current problems have non-quantifiable aspects which may be more important in shaping future decisions than the measurable attributes of the problem. Accordingly, we include the treatment of institutional constraints, political questions, and social issues wherever appropriate in our analyses. Sometimes quantitative statistical approaches are used "as a drunken man uses lampposts -- for support rather than illumination." SYSTAN strives to use statistics and the theoretical disciplines of operations research and systems analysis both to provide a framework supporting the rational analysis of practical problems and to illuminate the nature and potential solution of these problems. Much of our work entails the analysis and evaluation of complex technical considerations. SYSTAN believes that such work is of value only if the results can be presented clearly, free of technical jargon, in a stimulating manner that can be readily comprehended by a range of readers. Accordingly, we give special attention to the quality of writing and illustrations in our reports, and to the preparation of oral presentations and executive summaries. SYSTAN personnel have experience both in the theoretical academic disciplines and in the practical world of applied planning and decision-making. This grounding in two worlds often leads to innovative, practical approaches unavailable to the pure theoretician or the experienced operations manager. Because we recognize that both the nature of the client's problems and our perceptions of those problems may change in the course of a single project, SYSTAN personnel strive to remain flexible and responsive to our client's needs throughout the length of a project. A polling of past clients will show that we can be relied upon to produce high quality work on time and within budget. email: systan@systan.com