GERAD is a multi university research center founded in 1979. It involves some seventy experts from a mix of disciplines: quantitative methods for management, operations researchers, computer scientists, mathematicians and mathematical engineers, from HEC Montréal, École Polytechnique, McGill University and Université du Québec à Montréal. Its mission: - To develop all aspects of the mathematics of decision making in large, complex systems be they technological, commercial or economic, and ahead of decision making, to develop the mathematics of model building as pertaining to statistical analysis, simulation and data mining. - To train researchers in the above areas. - To contribute to the building of collective wealth through the creation of spin off companies, consulting activities for the transferring of locally developed know how to industry, and the incorporation of this know how into software for support in decision making.