A survey of variants and extensions of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem

The resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) consists of activities that must be scheduled subject to precedence and resource constraints such that the makespan is minimized. It has become a well-known standard problem in the context of project scheduling which has attracted numerous researchers who developed both exact and heuristic scheduling procedures. However, it is a rather basic model with assumptions that are too restrictive for many practical applications. Consequently, various extensions of the basic RCPSP have been developed. This paper gives an overview over these extensions. The extensions are classified according to the structure of the RCPSP. We summarize generalizations of the activity concept, of the precedence relations and of the resource constraints. Alternative objectives and approaches for scheduling multiple projects are discussed as well. In addition to popular variants and extensions such as multiple modes, minimal and maximal time lags, and net present value-based objectives, the paper also provides a survey of many less known concepts. --project scheduling,modeling,resource constraints,temporal constraints,networks

Mixed integer linear programming models for Flow Shop Scheduling with a demand plan of job types

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Central european journal of operations research. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://www.doi.org/10.1007/s10100-018-0553-8This paper presents two mixed integer linear programming (MILP) models that extend two basic Flow Shop Scheduling problems: Fm/prmu/Cmax and Fm/block/Cmax. This extension incorporates the concept of an overall demand plan for types of jobs or products. After using an example to illustrate the new problems under study, we evaluated the new models and analyzed their behaviors when applied to instances found in the literature and industrial instances of a case study from Nissan’s plant in Barcelona. CPLEX solver was used as a solution tool and obtained acceptable results, allowing us to conclude that MILP can be used as a method for solving Flow Shop Scheduling problems with an overall demand plan.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Mathematical models for planning support

In this paper we describe how computer systems can provide planners with active planning support, when these planners are carrying out their daily planning activities. This means that computer systems actively participate in the planning process by automatically generating plans or partial plans. Active planning support by computer systems requires the application of mathematical models and solution techniques. In this paper we describe the modeling process in general terms, as well as several modeling and solution techniques. We also present some background information on computational complexity theory, since most practical planning problems are hard to solve. We also describe how several objective functions can be handled, since it is rare that solutions can be evaluated by just one single objective. Furthermore, we give an introduction into the use of mathematical modeling systems, which are useful tools in a modeling context, especially during the development phases of a mathematical model. We finish the paper with a real life example related to the planning process of the rolling stock circulation of a railway operator.optimization;mathematical models;modeling process;planning support;Planning

An Efficient MILP-Based Decomposition Strategy for Solving Large-Scale Scheduling Problems

This paper presents a MILP-based decomposition algorithm for solving large-scale scheduling problems with assembly operations in flexible flow shop environments. First, a rigorous mixed-integer linear (MILP) formulation based on the general precedence notion is developed for the problem under study. Then, the MILP model is embedded within a decomposition algorithm in order to accelerate the resolution of large-size industrial problems. The proposed solution approach is tested on several examples derived from a real-world case study arising in a shipbuilding company.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Clips: a capacity and lead time integrated procedure for scheduling.

We propose a general procedure to address real life job shop scheduling problems. The shop typically produces a variety of products, each with its own arrival stream, its own route through the shop and a given customer due date. The procedure first determines the manufacturing lot sizes for each product. The objective is to minimize the expected lead time and therefore we model the production environment as a queueing network. Given these lead times, release dates are set dynamically. This in turn creates a time window for every manufacturing order in which the various operations have to be sequenced. The sequencing logic is based on a Extended Shifting Bottleneck Procedure. These three major decisions are next incorporated into a four phase hierarchical operational implementation scheme. A small numerical example is used to illustrate the methodology. The final objective however is to develop a procedure that is useful for large, real life shops. We therefore report on a real life application.Model; Models; Applications; Product; Scheduling;

An Efficient MILP-Based Decomposition Strategy for Solving Large-Scale Scheduling Problems

This paper presents a MILP-based decomposition algorithm for solving large-scale scheduling problems with assembly operations in flexible flow shop environments. First, a rigorous mixed-integer linear (MILP) formulation based on the general precedence notion is developed for the problem under study. Then, the MILP model is embedded within a decomposition algorithm in order to accelerate the resolution of large-size industrial problems. The proposed solution approach is tested on several examples derived from a real-world case study arising in a shipbuilding company.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

An Efficient MILP-Based Decomposition Strategy for Solving Large-Scale Scheduling Problems

This paper presents a MILP-based decomposition algorithm for solving large-scale scheduling problems with assembly operations in flexible flow shop environments. First, a rigorous mixed-integer linear (MILP) formulation based on the general precedence notion is developed for the problem under study. Then, the MILP model is embedded within a decomposition algorithm in order to accelerate the resolution of large-size industrial problems. The proposed solution approach is tested on several examples derived from a real-world case study arising in a shipbuilding company.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ