Operations research (OR) is frequently depicted in terms of a ‘toolbox’ of pre-determined methods and techniques that should be matched to the given problem context. In practice, OR practitioners often tailor, combine and modify elements of methodologies, methods and techniques, particularly within multi-method interventions. Transparent tracking of this process of methodological evolution can generate more effective OR intervention designs and facilitate reflection on the underlying theoretical assumptions. In our study of concept development for logistic and health support operations, we apply the principles of iterative refinement to workshop designs through the use of boundary critique as the basis for analysis. In demonstrating a real-life application of such iterative refinement, we outline the evolution of a multi-method intervention design through theory–practice cycles across five creative workshops. The focus of the workshops is generation of new ideas for technology utilisation and development of comprehensive capability concepts based on these ideas. Our study results point to positive effects from reducing system boundaries associated with conventional ways of thinking, and with the introduction of boundary-expanding steps, such as individual and creative thinking techniques. We also report more successful outcomes when formulating the problem in terms of capabilities or applications, rather than in terms of specific technologies. Further application of the proposed analytical framework may open the door for creative OR workshop design across different domains through understanding and shaping of system boundaries.

运筹学 (OR) 经常被描述为预先确定的方法和技术的“工具箱”，这些方法和技术应该与给定的问题背景相匹配。在实践中，手术室从业者经常定制、组合和修改方法论、方法和技术的要素，特别是在多方法干预中。对这一方法论演变过程的透明跟踪可以产生更有效的 OR 干预设计，并促进对基本理论假设的反思。在我们对后勤和卫生支持操作概念开发的研究中，我们通过使用边界批判作为分析基础，将迭代改进的原则应用于车间设计。在展示这种迭代细化的实际应用时，我们通过五个创意研讨会的理论 - 实践循环概述了多方法干预设计的演变。研讨会的重点是产生技术利用的新思路和基于这些想法的综合能力概念的开发。我们的研究结果表明，减少与传统思维方式相关的系统边界以及引入边界扩展步骤（例如个人和创造性思维技术）会产生积极影响。我们还报告了在根据功能或应用程序而不是根据特定技术来制定问题时更成功的结果。通过理解和塑造系统边界，所提出的分析框架的进一步应用可以为跨不同领域的创造性手术室设计打开大门。