IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ejores/v307y2023i1p1-19.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A classification and new benchmark instances for the multi-skilled resource-constrained project scheduling problem

Author

Listed:
  • Snauwaert, Jakob
  • Vanhoucke, Mario

Abstract

This paper studies and analyses the multi-skilled resource-constrained project scheduling problem (MSRCPSP). We present a new classification scheme based on an existing classification scheme for project scheduling problems. This allows researchers to classify all multi-skilled project scheduling problems and its extensions. Furthermore, we propose a new data generation procedure for the MSRCPSP and introduce multiple artificial datasets for varying research purposes. The new datasets are generated based on new multi-skilled resource parameters and are compared to existing benchmark datasets in the literature. A set of 7 empirical multi-skilled project instances from software and railway construction companies are collected in order to validate the quality of the artificial datasets. Solutions are obtained through a genetic algorithm and by solving a mixed-integer linear programming formulation with CPLEX 12.6. The hardness of the multi-skilled project instances is investigated in the computational experiments. An experimental analysis studies the impact of skill availability, workforce size and multi-skilling on the makespan of the project.

Suggested Citation

  • Snauwaert, Jakob & Vanhoucke, Mario, 2023. "A classification and new benchmark instances for the multi-skilled resource-constrained project scheduling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 307(1), pages 1-19.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:307:y:2023:i:1:p:1-19
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2022.05.049
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377221722004519
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ejor.2022.05.049?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rainer Kolisch & Arno Sprecher & Andreas Drexl, 1995. "Characterization and Generation of a General Class of Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problems," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 41(10), pages 1693-1703, October.
    2. Herroelen, Willy & Leus, Roel, 2005. "Project scheduling under uncertainty: Survey and research potentials," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(2), pages 289-306, September.
    3. De Bruecker, Philippe & Beliën, Jeroen & Van den Bergh, Jorne & Demeulemeester, Erik, 2018. "A three-stage mixed integer programming approach for optimizing the skill mix and training schedules for aircraft maintenance," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(2), pages 439-452.
    4. Hartmann, Sönke & Briskorn, Dirk, 2010. "A survey of variants and extensions of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 207(1), pages 1-14, November.
    5. Cai, X. & Li, K. N., 2000. "A genetic algorithm for scheduling staff of mixed skills under multi-criteria," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(2), pages 359-369, September.
    6. Najafzad, Hamid & Davari-Ardakani, Hamed & Nemati-Lafmejani, Reza, 2019. "Multi-skill project scheduling problem under time-of-use electricity tariffs and shift differential payments," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 619-636.
    7. De Bruecker, Philippe & Van den Bergh, Jorne & Beliën, Jeroen & Demeulemeester, Erik, 2015. "Workforce planning incorporating skills: State of the art," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 243(1), pages 1-16.
    8. G. V. Kass, 1980. "An Exploratory Technique for Investigating Large Quantities of Categorical Data," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series C, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 29(2), pages 119-127, June.
    9. Snauwaert, Jakob & Vanhoucke, Mario, 2021. "A new algorithm for resource-constrained project scheduling with breadth and depth of skills," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 292(1), pages 43-59.
    10. Drezet, L.-E. & Billaut, J.-C., 2008. "A project scheduling problem with labour constraints and time-dependent activities requirements," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(1), pages 217-225, March.
    11. Rainer Kolisch & Christian Heimerl, 2012. "An efficient metaheuristic for integrated scheduling and staffing IT projects based on a generalized minimum cost flow network," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 59(2), pages 111-127, March.
    12. Vanhoucke, Mario & Coelho, Jose & Debels, Dieter & Maenhout, Broos & Tavares, Luis V., 2008. "An evaluation of the adequacy of project network generators with systematically sampled networks," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 187(2), pages 511-524, June.
    13. Eva Labro & Mario Vanhoucke, 2008. "Diversity in Resource Consumption Patterns and Robustness of Costing Systems to Errors," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 54(10), pages 1715-1730, October.
    14. Van Eynde, Rob & Vanhoucke, Mario, 2022. "New summary measures and datasets for the multi-project scheduling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 299(3), pages 853-868.
    15. Valls, Vicente & Pérez, Ángeles & Quintanilla, Sacramento, 2009. "Skilled workforce scheduling in Service Centres," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 193(3), pages 791-804, March.
    16. Thomas Felberbauer & Walter J. Gutjahr & Karl F. Doerner, 2019. "Stochastic project management: multiple projects with multi-skilled human resources," Journal of Scheduling, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 271-288, June.
    17. Rong Chen & Changyong Liang & Dongxiao Gu & Joseph Y-T. Leung, 2017. "A multi-objective model for multi-project scheduling and multi-skilled staff assignment for IT product development considering competency evolution," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(21), pages 6207-6234, November.
    18. Avramidis, Athanassios N. & Chan, Wyean & Gendreau, Michel & L'Ecuyer, Pierre & Pisacane, Ornella, 2010. "Optimizing daily agent scheduling in a multiskill call center," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(3), pages 822-832, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Meya Haroune & Cheikh Dhib & Emmanuel Neron & Ameur Soukhal & Hafed Mohamed Babou & Mohamedade Farouk Nanne, 2023. "Multi-project scheduling problem under shared multi-skill resource constraints," TOP: An Official Journal of the Spanish Society of Statistics and Operations Research, Springer;Sociedad de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, vol. 31(1), pages 194-235, April.
    2. De Bruecker, Philippe & Van den Bergh, Jorne & Beliën, Jeroen & Demeulemeester, Erik, 2015. "Workforce planning incorporating skills: State of the art," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 243(1), pages 1-16.
    3. Hartmann, Sönke & Briskorn, Dirk, 2010. "A survey of variants and extensions of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 207(1), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Hartmann, Sönke & Briskorn, Dirk, 2008. "A survey of variants and extensions of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem," Working Paper Series 02/2008, Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA).
    5. Rong Chen & Changyong Liang & Dongxiao Gu & Joseph Y-T. Leung, 2017. "A multi-objective model for multi-project scheduling and multi-skilled staff assignment for IT product development considering competency evolution," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(21), pages 6207-6234, November.
    6. Xiong, Jian & Leus, Roel & Yang, Zhenyu & Abbass, Hussein A., 2016. "Evolutionary multi-objective resource allocation and scheduling in the Chinese navigation satellite system project," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 251(2), pages 662-675.
    7. Xabier A. Martin & Rosa Herrero & Angel A. Juan & Javier Panadero, 2024. "An Agile Adaptive Biased-Randomized Discrete-Event Heuristic for the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-21, June.
    8. Volland, Jonas & Fügener, Andreas & Brunner, Jens O., 2017. "A column generation approach for the integrated shift and task scheduling problem of logistics assistants in hospitals," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 260(1), pages 316-334.
    9. Weglarz, Jan & Józefowska, Joanna & Mika, Marek & Waligóra, Grzegorz, 2011. "Project scheduling with finite or infinite number of activity processing modes - A survey," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 208(3), pages 177-205, February.
    10. Van den Bergh, Jorne & Beliën, Jeroen & De Bruecker, Philippe & Demeulemeester, Erik & De Boeck, Liesje, 2013. "Personnel scheduling: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 226(3), pages 367-385.
    11. Broos Maenhout & Mario Vanhoucke, 2017. "A resource type analysis of the integrated project scheduling and personnel staffing problem," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 252(2), pages 407-433, May.
    12. Ripon K. Chakrabortty & Ruhul A. Sarker & Daryl L. Essam, 2020. "Single mode resource constrained project scheduling with unreliable resources," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 1369-1403, September.
    13. Wang, Xiong & Ferreira, Fernando A.F. & Chang, Ching-Ter, 2022. "Multi-objective competency-based approach to project scheduling and staff assignment: Case study of an internal audit project," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    14. Min Wang & Guoshan Liu & Xinyu Lin, 2022. "Dynamic Optimization of the Multi-Skilled Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem with Uncertainty in Resource Availability," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(17), pages 1-20, August.
    15. De Bruecker, Philippe & Beliën, Jeroen & Van den Bergh, Jorne & Demeulemeester, Erik, 2018. "A three-stage mixed integer programming approach for optimizing the skill mix and training schedules for aircraft maintenance," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(2), pages 439-452.
    16. Van Eynde, Rob & Vanhoucke, Mario, 2022. "New summary measures and datasets for the multi-project scheduling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 299(3), pages 853-868.
    17. Hartmann, Sönke & Briskorn, Dirk, 2022. "An updated survey of variants and extensions of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 297(1), pages 1-14.
    18. Hartmann, Sönke, 2011. "Project scheduling with resource capacities and requests varying with time," Working Paper Series 01/2011, Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA).
    19. Vanhoucke, Mario & Maenhout, Broos, 2009. "On the characterization and generation of nurse scheduling problem instances," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 196(2), pages 457-467, July.
    20. Berghman, Lotte & Leus, Roel, 2015. "Practical solutions for a dock assignment problem with trailer transportation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 246(3), pages 787-799.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:307:y:2023:i:1:p:1-19. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/eor .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.