Pizza Operationale

Eigth of our Operations Researchers from the OR&S group at Ghent University are now in Rome, Italy for the 26th European Conference on Operational Research.

The full conference schedule can be downloaded here but of course, what's really really interesting can be found in our presentations, and that's why I have summarized them along the following lines:

Presentation: On multivariate regression models for project duration forecasting
Jeroen Colin and Mario Vanhoucke

Abstract: One of the main interests in project control research has been to forecast a project’s final duration. Earlier studies have shown that earned schedule performance metrics outperform earned value metrics when forecasting the project duration. We compare these best practice standards with two multivariate regression models, based on a projection on latent structures. It is conjectured that these models outperform the earned schedule forecasting formulas in terms of convergence and absolute deviation. Project-specific Monte-Carlo simulations provide the necessary data for model-building.

Presentation: Scheduling on multiple production locations: a case study in knitted fabrics
Louis-Philippe Kerkhove and Mario Vanhoucke

Abstract: We consider a real-life case of an extension parallel machine scheduling (PMS) at a Belgian producer of knitted fabrics. Based on the technical setup of a Belgian producer of knitted fabrics this paper extends the literature on unrelated parallel machine scheduling by including geographically dispersed production locations. Producing on multiple locations complicates the problem by introducing location-dependent due dates and lateness penalties. We present a new problem formulation and solve the problem using various meta-heuristic solution techniques, which are shown to outperform currently used planning techniques.

Presentation: A Scatter Search for the Resource Renting Problem
Len Vandenheede and Mario Vanhoucke and Broos Maenhout

Abstract: The existence of time-dependent costs is often neglected in the resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP). However, in real-life the use of renewable resource is usually subject to those so-called renting costs. A good example are the wages of employees. Renting costs are studied in the Resource Renting Problem (RRP). In this presentation, we will propose a scatter search to efficiently solve the RRP. In a computational experiment, the most important project characteristics that determine the solution quality will be discussed.

Presentation: A genetic algorithm for the multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problem with discounted cash flows
Abstract: Pieter Leyman and Mario Vanhoucke

Abstract: In this presentation, we discuss the resource-constrained project scheduling problem with discounted cash flows (RCPSPDC) from the point of view of the contractor. We compare several payment models and design an appropriate local search method for each one. Furthermore, several different genetic operators are tested and compared, and a bi-directional schedule generation scheme is applied. We finish by comparing the proposed genetic algorithm with others from the literature.

Presentation: Performing risk analysis and project control on real-life projects: An evaluation of established and novel metrics and techniques
Jordy Batselier and Louis-Philippe Kerkhove and Mario Vanhoucke

Abstract: We evaluate the relevance and accuracy of known Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) and Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics and techniques for a collection of real-life projects in Belgium. The projects are carefully selected from relevant case studies gathered by our research department in recent years. Both established as well as novel risk analysis and project control methods will be evaluated and benchmarked, and general conclusions will be drawn.

Presentation: Time/Cost/Uncertainty trade-offs in a business game: practical experiences
Mathieu Wauters and Mario Vanhoucke

Abstract: The Project Scheduling Game (PSG) is an IT-supported tool used for educational purposes in business schools and universities. Based on data collected at 2 universities and 3 management schools, we identified prominent solution strategies which were evaluated using different performance criteria. Computational experiments revealed under which conditions a solution strategy performs best. The outcome of this study culminated in the incorporation of a Game Scan, which provides direct and multidimensional feedback during teaching and company training sessions.