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Near-Optimal Course Scheduling at the Technion

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  • Ofer Strichman

    (Information Systems Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel)

Abstract

The focus of this article is the automation of course, classroom, and exam scheduling for the faculty of Industrial Engineering (IE) at the Technion in Haifa, Israel. The system, called the Technion Industrial Engineering Scheduler ( TieSched ), has been operational since 2012. It is based on a distributed collection of constraints and multiple engines running in parallel, including SAT, pseudo-Boolean, CSP, and weighted-Max-SAT solvers. A sophisticated decision support subsystem accommodates manual edits to the schedule. This article describes the manual process used previously and the TieSched system architecture, and it provides details about the model formulation and solving engines. It also presents the new process that TieSched enables and the path to stakeholder acceptance. The benefits of TieSched include improved efficiency of the scheduling process (i.e., a reduction from 9–10 to 3–4 weeks), better schedules, and enhanced levels of service to teachers, assistants, and students.

Suggested Citation

  • Ofer Strichman, 2017. "Near-Optimal Course Scheduling at the Technion," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 47(6), pages 537-554, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:47:y:2017:i:6:p:537-554
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.2017.0920
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roberto Asín Achá & Robert Nieuwenhuis, 2014. "Curriculum-based course timetabling with SAT and MaxSAT," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 218(1), pages 71-91, July.
    2. de Werra, D., 1985. "An introduction to timetabling," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 151-162, February.
    3. Ender Özcan & Edmund K. Burke & Barry McCollum & Dag Kjenstad & Atle Riise, 2016. "The Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling (2012)," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 239(1), pages 1-2, April.
    4. Timothy R. Hinkin & Gary M. Thompson, 2002. "SchedulExpert: Scheduling Courses in the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 32(6), pages 45-57, December.
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    Cited by:

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