Design Project Scheduling with Probabilistic Iterations: Optimization & Investigation of Robustness
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2018-09-05
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Abstract
This research focuses on reliable prediction of product development (PD) project duration within reasonable solution times. It is based on the model of PD projects presented by Smith and Eppinger which suggests that PD projects are akin to Markov reward chains. The research was divided into two phases; the development of a hybrid algorithm to minimize the problem’s solve time without compromising solution quality and the identification of features of a robust PD schedule. The first phase of the research shows that the hybrid algorithm yields similar quality solutions whilst reducing solve times by 50% - 97.4%. The second phase highlights four features that affect robust PD schedule as well as patterns observed in the schedule. In conclusion, this research demonstrates the utility of the developed hybrid algorithm and also illustrates the importance of examining expected project duration and the standard deviation in the results when developing robust PD schedules.
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Ebufegha, A. J. (2018). Design Project Scheduling with Probabilistic Iterations: Optimization & Investigation of Robustness (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/32906