The Project Scheduling Problem with Non-Deterministic Activities Duration: A Literature Review

Purpose: The goal of this article is to provide an extensive literature review of the models and solution procedures proposed by many researchers interested on the Project Scheduling Problem with nondeterministic activities duration. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents an exhaustive literature review, identifying the existing models where the activities duration were taken as uncertain or random parameters. In order to get published articles since 1996, was employed the Scopus database. The articles were selected on the basis of reviews of abstracts, methodologies, and conclusions. The results were classified according to following characteristics: year of publication, mathematical representation of the activities duration, solution techniques applied, and type of problem solved. Findings: Genetic Algorithms (GA) was pointed out as the main solution technique employed by researchers, and the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (RCPSP) as the most studied type of problem. On the other hand, the application of new solution techniques, and the possibility of incorporating traditional methods into new PSP variants was presented as research trends. Originality/value: This literature review contents not only a descriptive analysis of the published articles but also a statistical information section in order to examine the state of the research activity carried out in relation to the Project Scheduling Problem with non-deterministic activities duration.Peer Reviewe

Evaluation of Project Management Practices in the Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers

Abstract This paper aims at understanding the current perceptions related to the Project Management (PM) practices in the automotive sector. To this end, a questionnaire is administrated to professionals and data are analyzed via the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results show that the ICT function is poorly oriented to PM, especially for professionals with longer experience. On the contrary, the logistics function might exploit the benefits of PM tools. PM is also considered a lever for increasing the firm's reputation. This work demonstrates that PM is a challenge for future developments of organizations and it shows its importance in the automotive industry that involves increasingly complex projects

Evaluation of project management practices in the automotive original equipment manufacturers

This paper aims at understanding the current perceptions related to the Project Management (PM) practices in the automotive sector. To this end, a questionnaire is administrated to professionals and data are analyzed via the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results show that the ICT function is poorly oriented to PM, especially for professionals with longer experience. On the contrary, the logistics function might exploit the benefits of PM tools. PM is also considered a lever for increasing the firm's reputation. This work demonstrates that PM is a challenge for future developments of organizations and it shows its importance in the automotive industry that involves increasingly complex projects

Dynamic planning and control for large-scale infrastructure projects : route 3N as a case study

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-137).by Margaret Fulenwider.S.M

Design and Planning of Manufacturing Networks for Mass Customisation and Personalisation: Challenges and Outlook

AbstractManufacturers and service providers are called to design, plan and operate globalized manufacturing networks, addressing to challenges such as ever-decreasing lifecycles and increased product complexity. These factors, caused primarily by mass customisation and demand volatility, generate a number of issues related to the design and planning of manufacturing systems and networks, which are not holistically tackled in industrial and academic practices. The mapping of production performance requirements to process and production planning requires automated closed-loop control systems, which current systems fail to deliver. Technology-based business approaches are an enabler for increased enterprise performance. Towards that end, the issues discussed in this paper focus on challenges in the design and planning of manufacturing networks in a mass customization and personalization landscape. The development of methods and tools for supporting the dynamic configuration and optimal routing of manufacturing networks and facilities under cost, time, complexity and environmental constraints to support product-service personalization are promoted

Mitigating Space Industry Supply Chain Risk Thru Risk-Based Analysis

Using risk-based analysis to consider supply chain disruptions and uncertainty along with potential mitigation strategies in the early stages of space industry projects can be used avoid schedule delays, cost overruns, and lead to successful project outcomes. Space industry projects, especially launch vehicles, are complicated assemblies of high-technology and specialized components. Components are engineered, procured, manufactured, and assembled for specific missions or projects, unlike make-to-stock manufacturing where assemblies are produced at a mass production rate for customers to choose off the shelf or lot, like automobiles. The supply chain for a space industry project is a large, complicated web where one disruption, especially for sole-sourced components, could ripple through the project causing delays at multiple project milestones. This ripple effect can even cause the delay or cancelation of the entire project unless project managers develop and employ risk mitigations strategies against supply chain disruption and uncertainty. The unpredictability of when delays and disruptions may occur makes managing these projects extremely difficult. By using risk-based analysis, project managers can better plan for and mitigate supply chain risk and uncertainty for space industry projects to better manage project success. Space industry project supply chain risk and uncertainty can be evaluated through risk assessments at major project milestones and during the procurement process. Mitigations for identified risks can be evaluated and implemented to better manage project success. One mitigation strategy to supply chain risk and uncertainty is implementing a dual or multi-supplier sourcing procurement strategy. This research explores using a risk-based analysis to identify where this mitigation strategy can be beneficial for space industry projects and how its implementation affects project success. First a supply chain risk assessment and mitigation decision tool will be used at major project milestones to show where a multi-sourcing strategy may be beneficial. Next, updated supplier quote evaluation tools will confirm the usage of multiple suppliers for procurement. Modeling and simulation are then used to show the impact of that strategy on the project success metrics of cost and schedule

Integration of Joint Power-Heat Flexibility of Oil Refinery Industries to Uncertain Energy Markets

This paper proposes a novel approach to optimize the main energy consumptions of heavy oil refining industries (ORI) in response to electricity price uncertainties. The whole industrial sub-processes of the ORI are modeled mathematically to investigate the joint power-heat flexibility potentials of the industry. To model the refinery processes, an input/output flow-based model is proposed for five main refining units. Moreover, the role of storage tanks capacity in the power system flexibility is investigated. To hedge against the electricity price uncertainty, an uncertain bound for the wholesale electricity price is addressed. To optimize the industrial processes, a dual robust mixed-integer quadratic program (R-MIQP) is adopted; therefore, the ORI’s operational strategies are determined under the worst-case realization of the electricity price uncertainty. Finally, the suggested approach is implemented in the south-west sector of the Iran Energy Market that suffers from a lack of electricity in hot days of summer. The simulation results confirm that the proposed framework ensures industrial demand flexibility to the external grids when a power shortage occurs. The approach not only provides demand flexibility to the power system, but also minimizes the operation cost of the industries