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Case study: problem formulation and solution for a real-world sports scheduling problem

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  • M B Wright

    (Lancaster University, Lancaster)

Abstract

This case study paper describes a problem faced every year by the Devon Cricket League in England. Every league match requires two officiating umpires. There are various preferences relating to the deployment of umpires that fall short of being definite constraints. The requirement was to produce a computer system that would allocate umpires in a satisfactory manner without the need for human interaction, since the users of the system will be unqualified amateurs. This necessitated the construction of a very complex objective function, using imprecise and ill-defined information. The biggest challenge was thus one of problem formulation; the solution technique was relatively straightforward. The system has been put into successful use and it is expected that its use will continue indefinitely. The work raises ethical issues regarding work done for customers who are inexperienced amateurs.

Suggested Citation

  • M B Wright, 2007. "Case study: problem formulation and solution for a real-world sports scheduling problem," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 58(4), pages 439-445, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:58:y:2007:i:4:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2602175
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602175
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Urban, Timothy L. & Russell, Robert A., 2003. "Scheduling sports competitions on multiple venues," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 148(2), pages 302-311, July.
    2. James R. Evans, 1988. "A Microcomputer-Based Decision Support System for Scheduling Umpires in the American Baseball League," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 18(6), pages 42-51, December.
    3. Schonberger, J. & Mattfeld, D. C. & Kopfer, H., 2004. "Memetic Algorithm timetabling for non-commercial sport leagues," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(1), pages 102-116, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. M B Wright, 2009. "50 years of OR in sport," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(1), pages 161-168, May.
    2. A Ghoniem & H D Sherali, 2010. "Models and algorithms for the scheduling of a doubles tennis training tournament," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(5), pages 723-731, May.
    3. Young Dae Ko & Seung Hwan Jung & Sung Hee Kim & Sung Wook Lee, 2018. "Sustainable Sport Scheduling Approach Considering Team Equity for the Korean Professional Baseball League," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-11, February.
    4. R Volkema, 2009. "Natural language and the art and science of problem/opportunity formulation: a transportation planning case analysis," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(10), pages 1360-1372, October.

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