Defining Decision Variables

  The next step is to identify and define decision variables in the model. OptQuest models must have at least one decision variable.

1. Define the first decision variable.

   1. Select cell C13.

   2. Select Define, and then Define Decision, .

   3. Set the Variable Type to Continuous.

   4. Set the lower and upper bounds according to the problem data (columns D and E in the worksheet), as shown in Table 3 and Figure 23, Portfolio Allocation Worksheet.

      Notice that you can enter cell references for cells D5, E5, and the fund name (cell B5). After you complete an entry, the cell reference changes to its value.

2. Define the decision variables for cells C14, C15, and C16 according to the values in columns D and E of the worksheet, by following the process described in step 1.

   If you used cell references for the name, lower bound, and upper bound of the decision variable defined in step 1, you can use Crystal Ball’s Copy Data and Paste Data commands to define the remaining decision variables.