11,228 research outputs found
The Complexity of Mean Flow Time Scheduling Problems with Release Times
We study the problem of preemptive scheduling n jobs with given release times
on m identical parallel machines. The objective is to minimize the average flow
time. We show that when all jobs have equal processing times then the problem
can be solved in polynomial time using linear programming. Our algorithm can
also be applied to the open-shop problem with release times and unit processing
times. For the general case (when processing times are arbitrary), we show that
the problem is unary NP-hard.Comment: Subsumes and replaces cs.DS/0412094 and "Complexity of mean flow time
scheduling problems with release dates" by P.B, S.
Efficient heuristics for the parallel blocking flow shop scheduling problem
We consider the NP-hard problem of scheduling n jobs in F identical parallel flow shops, each consisting of a series of m machines, and doing so with a blocking constraint. The applied criterion is to minimize the makespan, i.e., the maximum completion time of all the jobs in F flow shops (lines). The Parallel Flow Shop Scheduling Problem (PFSP) is conceptually similar to another problem known in the literature as the Distributed Permutation Flow Shop Scheduling Problem (DPFSP), which allows modeling the scheduling process in companies with more than one factory, each factory with a flow shop configuration. Therefore, the proposed methods can solve the scheduling problem under the blocking constraint in both situations, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been studied previously. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model along with some constructive and improvement heuristics to solve the parallel blocking flow shop problem (PBFSP) and thus minimize the maximum completion time among lines. The proposed constructive procedures use two approaches that are totally different from those proposed in the literature. These methods are used as initial solution procedures of an iterated local search (ILS) and an iterated greedy algorithm (IGA), both of which are combined with a variable neighborhood search (VNS). The proposed constructive procedure and the improved methods take into account the characteristics of the problem. The computational evaluation demonstrates that both of them –especially the IGA– perform considerably better than those algorithms adapted from the DPFSP literature.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
Dynamic scheduling in a multi-product manufacturing system
To remain competitive in global marketplace, manufacturing companies need to improve their operational practices. One of the methods to increase competitiveness in manufacturing is by implementing proper scheduling system. This is important to enable job orders to be completed on time, minimize waiting time and maximize utilization of equipment and machineries. The dynamics of real manufacturing system are very complex in nature. Schedules developed based on deterministic algorithms are unable to effectively deal with uncertainties in demand and capacity. Significant differences can be found between planned schedules and actual schedule implementation. This study attempted to develop a scheduling system that is able to react quickly and reliably for accommodating changes in product demand and manufacturing capacity. A case study, 6 by 6 job shop scheduling problem was adapted with uncertainty elements added to the data sets. A simulation model was designed and implemented using ARENA simulation package to generate various job shop scheduling scenarios. Their performances were evaluated using scheduling rules, namely, first-in-first-out (FIFO), earliest due date (EDD), and shortest processing time (SPT). An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed and trained using various scheduling scenarios generated by ARENA simulation. The experimental results suggest that the ANN scheduling model can provided moderately reliable prediction results for limited scenarios when predicting the number completed jobs, maximum flowtime, average machine utilization, and average length of queue. This study has provided better understanding on the effects of changes in demand and capacity on the job shop schedules. Areas for further study includes: (i) Fine tune the proposed ANN scheduling model (ii) Consider more variety of job shop environment (iii) Incorporate an expert system for interpretation of results. The theoretical framework proposed in this study can be used as a basis for further investigation
Scheduling Bidirectional Traffic on a Path
We study the fundamental problem of scheduling bidirectional traffic along a
path composed of multiple segments. The main feature of the problem is that
jobs traveling in the same direction can be scheduled in quick succession on a
segment, while jobs in opposing directions cannot cross a segment at the same
time. We show that this tradeoff makes the problem significantly harder than
the related flow shop problem, by proving that it is NP-hard even for identical
jobs. We complement this result with a PTAS for a single segment and
non-identical jobs. If we allow some pairs of jobs traveling in different
directions to cross a segment concurrently, the problem becomes APX-hard even
on a single segment and with identical jobs. We give polynomial algorithms for
the setting with restricted compatibilities between jobs on a single and any
constant number of segments, respectively
Asymptotically Optimal Approximation Algorithms for Coflow Scheduling
Many modern datacenter applications involve large-scale computations composed
of multiple data flows that need to be completed over a shared set of
distributed resources. Such a computation completes when all of its flows
complete. A useful abstraction for modeling such scenarios is a {\em coflow},
which is a collection of flows (e.g., tasks, packets, data transmissions) that
all share the same performance goal.
In this paper, we present the first approximation algorithms for scheduling
coflows over general network topologies with the objective of minimizing total
weighted completion time. We consider two different models for coflows based on
the nature of individual flows: circuits, and packets. We design
constant-factor polynomial-time approximation algorithms for scheduling
packet-based coflows with or without given flow paths, and circuit-based
coflows with given flow paths. Furthermore, we give an -approximation polynomial time algorithm for scheduling circuit-based
coflows where flow paths are not given (here is the number of network
edges).
We obtain our results by developing a general framework for coflow schedules,
based on interval-indexed linear programs, which may extend to other coflow
models and objective functions and may also yield improved approximation bounds
for specific network scenarios. We also present an experimental evaluation of
our approach for circuit-based coflows that show a performance improvement of
at least 22% on average over competing heuristics.Comment: Fixed minor typo
Framework for sustainable TVET-Teacher Education Program in Malaysia Public Universities
Studies had stated that less attention was given to the education aspect, such as
teaching and learning in planning for improving the TVET system. Due to the 21st
Century context, the current paradigm of teaching for the TVET educators also has
been reported to be fatal and need to be shifted. All these disadvantages reported
hindering the country from achieving the 5th strategy in the Strategic Plan for
Vocational Education Transformation to transform TVET system as a whole.
Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework for sustainable TVET Teacher
Education program in Malaysia. This study had adopted an Exploratory Sequential
Mix-Method design, which involves a semi-structured interview (phase one) and
survey method (phase two). Nine experts had involved in phase one chosen by using
Purposive Sampling Technique. As in phase two, 118 TVET-TE program lecturers
were selected as the survey sample chosen through random sampling method. After
data analysis in phase one (thematic analysis) and phase two (Principal Component
Analysis), eight domains and 22 elements have been identified for the framework for
sustainable TVET-TE program in Malaysia. This framework was identified to embed
the elements of 21st Century Education, thus filling the gap in this research. The
research findings also indicate that the developed framework was unidimensional and
valid for the development and research regarding TVET-TE program in Malaysia.
Lastly, it is in the hope that this research can be a guide for the nations in producing a
quality TVET teacher in the future
Project scheduling under undertainty – survey and research potentials.
The vast majority of the research efforts in project scheduling assume complete information about the scheduling problem to be solved and a static deterministic environment within which the pre-computed baseline schedule will be executed. However, in the real world, project activities are subject to considerable uncertainty, that is gradually resolved during project execution. In this survey we review the fundamental approaches for scheduling under uncertainty: reactive scheduling, stochastic project scheduling, stochastic GERT network scheduling, fuzzy project scheduling, robust (proactive) scheduling and sensitivity analysis. We discuss the potentials of these approaches for scheduling projects under uncertainty.Management; Project management; Robustness; Scheduling; Stability;
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