A heuristic search routine for solving two objective mixed integer LP problems for scheduling in a service factory

摘要

This paper presents a two-objective mixed binary integer linear programming model and a search routine solution method is proposed using a service factory environment with multi-processor workstations and a constant daily workload, for employee scheduling, number of machines per station, and makespan minimisation objectives. The search routine is simple enough to be implemented by managers using readily available spreadsheet programs. Solution of the four-station service factory formulation yielded results for improvement in the makespan of the shop. This search routine can be used by management in streamlining and optimising the service factory production environment as exemplified in the four-station case, and could also be applied to multi-processor flow shops.