# Creating optimization studies The final preparatory step before running a study is to actually create the study, which also requires several substeps.

Preparing an optimization: creating an optimization study

Most of the substeps are common for both a [live optimization study](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/akamas-reference/glossary/live-optimization-studies) and an [offline optimization study](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/akamas-reference/glossary/offline-optimization-study), even if they might need to be conceived differently in these two different contexts: * [defining the optimization goal & constraints](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/using-akamas/preparing-optimization-studies/creating-optimization-studies/defining-optimization-goal-and-constraints) * [defining the optimization parameters & metrics](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/using-akamas/preparing-optimization-studies/creating-optimization-studies/defining-optimization-steps) * [defining the optimization steps](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/using-akamas/preparing-optimization-studies/creating-optimization-studies/defining-optimization-steps) Other optional and mandatory steps are specific for offline optimization studies ([see below](#offline-optimization-studies)) and live optimization studies ([see below](#live-optimization-studies)). The [Study template](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/akamas-reference/construct-templates/study-template) section of the reference guide describes the template for creating a study, while the commands for creating a study are on the [Resource Management command](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/akamas-reference/cli-reference/cli-reference-2) page. For offline optimization studies only, the Akamas UI displays the "Create a study" button that provides a visual step-by-step procedure for creating a new optimization study (see the following figure).

Akamas UI for creating offline optimization studies

### Offline optimization studies For offline optimization studies, there are some additional (optional) steps: * [defining windowing policies](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/using-akamas/preparing-optimization-studies/creating-optimization-studies/defining-windowing-policies) (optional - typically after defining the goal & constraints) * [defining KPIs](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/using-akamas/preparing-optimization-studies/creating-optimization-studies/defining-kpis) (optional - typically after defining the goal & constraints)

Preparing an optimization: creating an offline optimization study

Notice that Akamas also allows existing offline optimization studies to be **duplicated** either from the Akamas UI (see the following figure) or from the command line (refer to the [Resource management commands](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/akamas-reference/cli-reference/cli-reference-2) page). ### Live optimization studies For live optimization studies, there are some additional steps - including a mandatory one: * [defining workloads](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/using-akamas/preparing-optimization-studies/creating-optimization-studies/defining-workloads) (mandatory - typically after defining the goal & constraints) * [setting safety policies](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.1.3/using-akamas/preparing-optimization-studies/creating-optimization-studies/setting-safety-policies) (optional - typically when defining the optimization steps)