Scheduling Projects by a Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm with Self-Adaptive Processes

Conference paper
Part of the Lecture Notes in Computer Science book series (LNCS, volume 9413)

Abstract

In this paper, we present a hybrid evolutionary algorithm with self-adaptive processes to solve a known project scheduling problem. This problem takes into consideration an optimization objective priority for project managers: to maximize the effectiveness of the sets of human resources assigned to the project activities. The hybrid evolutionary algorithm integrates self-adaptive processes with the aim of enhancing the evolutionary search. The behavior of these processes is self-adaptive according to the state of the evolutionary search. The performance of the hybrid evolutionary algorithm is evaluated on six different instance sets and then is compared with that of the best algorithm previously proposed in the literature for the addressed problem. The obtained results show that the hybrid evolutionary algorithm considerably outperforms the previous algorithm.

Keywords

Project scheduling Human resource assignment Multi-skilled resources Hybrid evolutionary algorithms Evolutionary algorithms Simulated annealing algorithms 

References

  1. 1.
    Heerkens, G.R.: Project Management. McGraw-Hill, New York (2002)Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Wysocki, R.K.: Effective Project Management, 3rd edn. Wiley, Hoboken (2003)Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Bellenguez, O., Néron, E.: Lower bounds for the multi-skill project scheduling problem with hierarchical levels of skills. In: Burke, E.K., Trick, M.A. (eds.) PATAT 2004. LNCS, vol. 3616, pp. 229–243. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. 4.
    Hanne, T., Nickel, S.: A multiobjective evolutionary algorithm for scheduling and inspection planning in software development projects. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 167, 663–678 (2005)MATHMathSciNetCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. 5.
    Gutjahr, W.J., Katzensteiner, S., Reiter, P., Stummer, Ch., Denk, M.: Competence-driven project portfolio selection, scheduling and staff assignment. Central Eur. J. Oper. Res. 16(3), 281–306 (2008)MATHMathSciNetCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Yannibelli, V., Amandi, A.: A knowledge-based evolutionary assistant to software development project scheduling. Expert Syst. Appl. 38(7), 8403–8413 (2011)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Yannibelli, V., Amandi, A.: A memetic approach to project scheduling that maximizes the effectiveness of the human resources assigned to project activities. In: Corchado, E., Snášel, V., Abraham, A., Woźniak, M., Graña, M., Cho, S.-B. (eds.) HAIS 2012, Part I. LNCS, vol. 7208, pp. 159–173. Springer, Heidelberg (2012)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. 8.
    Yannibelli, V., Amandi, A.: A diversity-adaptive hybrid evolutionary algorithm to solve a project scheduling problem. In: Corchado, E., Lozano, J.A., Quintián, H., Yin, H. (eds.) IDEAL 2014. LNCS, vol. 8669, pp. 412–423. Springer, Heidelberg (2014)Google Scholar
  9. 9.
    Blazewicz, J., Lenstra, J., Rinnooy Kan, A.: Scheduling subject to resource constraints: classification and complexity. Discrete Appl. Math. 5, 11–24 (1983)MATHMathSciNetCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.
    Yannibelli, V., Amandi, A.: Project scheduling: a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm that optimizes the effectiveness of human resources and the project makespan. Eng. Optim. 45(1), 45–65 (2013)MathSciNetCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.
    Srinivas, M., Patnaik, L.M.: Adaptive probabilities of crossover and mutation in genetic algorithms. IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern. 24(4), 656–667 (1994)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. 12.
    Bellenguez, O., Néron, E.: A branch-and-bound method for solving multi-skill project scheduling problem. RAIRO – Oper. Res. 41(2), 155–170 (2007)MATHMathSciNetCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. 13.
    Drezet, L.E., Billaut, J.C.: A project scheduling problem with labour constraints and time-dependent activities requirements. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 112, 217–225 (2008)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    Li, H., Womer, K.: Scheduling projects with multi-skilled personnel by a hybrid MILP/CP benders decomposition algorithm. J. Sched. 12, 281–298 (2009)MATHMathSciNetCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. 15.
    Valls, V., Pérez, A., Quintanilla, S.: Skilled workforce scheduling in service centers. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 193(3), 791–804 (2009)MATHCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. 16.
    Aickelin, U., Burke, E., Li, J.: An evolutionary squeaky wheel optimization approach to personnel scheduling. IEEE Trans. Evol. Comput. 13(2), 433–443 (2009)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. 17.
    Heimerl, C., Kolisch, R.: Scheduling and staffing multiple projects with a multi-skilled workforce. OR Spectrum 32(4), 343–368 (2010)MATHMathSciNetCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. 18.
    Eiben, A.E., Smith, J.E.: Introduction to Evolutionary Computing, 2nd edn. Springer, Berlin (2015)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. 19.
    Rodriguez, F.J., García-Martínez, C., Lozano, M.: Hybrid metaheuristics based on evolutionary algorithms and simulated annealing: taxonomy, comparison, and synergy test. IEEE Trans. Evol. Comput. 16(6), 787–800 (2012)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Talbi, E.: Hybrid metaheuristics. SCI, vol. 434. Springer, Berlin (2013)Google Scholar
  21. 21.
    Kolisch, R., Hartmann, S.: Experimental investigation of heuristics for resource-constrained project scheduling: an update. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 174, 23–37 (2006)MATHCrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.ISISTAN Research Institute, UNCPBA University, Campus UniversitarioTandilArgentina
  2. 2.CONICET, National Council of Scientific and Technological ResearchBuenos AiresArgentina

Personalised recommendations