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Scheduling projects with multi-skilled personnel by a hybrid MILP/CP benders decomposition algorithm

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Abstract

We study an assignment type resource-con- strained project scheduling problem with resources being multi-skilled personnel to minimize the total staffing costs. We develop a hybrid Benders decomposition (HBD) algorithm that combines the complimentary strengths of both mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) and constraint programming (CP) to solve this NP-hard optimization problem. An effective cut-generating scheme based on temporal analysis in project scheduling is devised for resolving resource conflicts. The computational study shows that our hybrid MILP/CP algorithm is both effective and efficient compared to the pure MILP or CP method alone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Business Administration, University of Missouri—St. Louis, One University Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA

    Haitao Li & Keith Womer

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  1. Haitao Li
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  2. Keith Womer
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Correspondence to Haitao Li.

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Li, H., Womer, K. Scheduling projects with multi-skilled personnel by a hybrid MILP/CP benders decomposition algorithm. J Sched 12, 281–298 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10951-008-0079-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10951-008-0079-3

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