Modeling the supply chain configuration problem with resource constraints

In this paper, we study the supply chain configuration problem (SCCP) under resource constraints. We present a new modeling framework based on multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling (MRCPSP) for configuring the supply chain subject to explicit resource constraints. It establishes a bridge between the areas of project scheduling and supply chain design. Our model is also able to handle additional practical issues such as quality level requirements and general temporal constraints, which are often encountered in the real world. A constraint programming (CP) based solution approach is proposed and implemented in our case study. Conclusions and future research directions are discussed.     

Augmented heuristic algorithm for multi-skilled resource scheduling

Conventional project scheduling is restricted to single-skilled resource assumption where each worker is assumed to have only one skill. This, in effect, contradicts real-world practice where workers may possess multiple skills and, on several occasions, are assigned to perform tasks for which they are not specialized. Past research has shown a simple process of heuristic approach for multi-skilled resource scheduling where a project is planned under the assumption that each resource can have more than one skill and resource substitution is allowed. Nevertheless, the approach has presented resource substitution step where an activity with higher priority can claim any resource regardless of its concurrent activities' resource requirements. Furthermore, the approach is subjected to all-or-nothing resource assignment concept where an activity cannot start and resources are not needed for that activity at all unless the required resources of that activity can be completely fulfilled. This research presents an alternative heuristic approach for multi-skilled resource scheduling in an attempt to improve the resource substitution approach. Augmented resource substitution rule and resource-driven task duration are presented to increase starting opportunity of activities on earlier time. Case studies are presented to illustrate the improved result of shorter project duration.     

A Real Option based Six Sigma project evaluation and selection model

Identification and selection of Six Sigma projects are one of the most frequently discussed issues in the Six Sigma literatures today. In this paper a two-stage methodology has been proposed based on (i) Real Option Analysis for evaluating the value of the project to improve the managerial flexibility (ii) a zero–one integer linear programming model for selecting and scheduling an optimal project portfolio, based on the organization's objectives and constraints. The methodology is illustrated through a case study from petrochemical industry carried out during 2007. The study contributes to managerial practices by identifying a new way of valuing the Six Sigma projects through Real Option Analysis by considering various kinds of risks. Resource-constrained environment has been chosen to test the proposed approach of selection of project portfolio and the model is validated with a detailed discussion.     

Fuzzy critical chain method for project scheduling under resource constraints and uncertainty

This paper develops a fuzzy critical chain method for project scheduling under resource constraints and uncertainty. The method consists of developing a desirable deterministic schedule under resource constraints, and adding a project buffer (PB) to the end of the schedule to deal with uncertainty. The size of the project buffer is determined by computations with fuzzy numbers. During project execution, the proposed method focuses on the penetration level in the project buffer, and dynamically updates the schedule to provide a more accurate schedule for actual progress. The use of a project buffer makes the method akin to critical chain project management (CCPM), although no feeding buffers are used. The proposed method is useful for both project planning and execution.     

Hybrid of genetic algorithm and simulated annealing for multiple project scheduling with multiple resource constraints

Since scheduling of multiple projects is a complex and time-consuming task, a large number of heuristic rules have been proposed by researchers for such problems. However, each of these rules is usually appropriate for only one specific type of problem. In view of this, a hybrid of genetic algorithm and simulated annealing (GA-SA Hybrid) is proposed in this paper for generic multi-project scheduling problems with multiple resource constraints. The proposed GA-SA Hybrid is compared to the modified simulated annealing method (MSA), which is more powerful than genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA). As both GA and SA are generic search methods, the GA-SA Hybrid is also a generic search method. The random-search feature of GA, SA and GA-SA Hybrid makes them applicable to almost all kinds of optimization problems. In general, these methods are more effective than most heuristic rules. Three test projects and three real projects are presented to show the advantage of the proposed GA-SA Hybrid method. It can be seen that GA-SA Hybrid has better performance than GA, SA, MSA, and some most popular heuristic methods.     

Exploring the value of project management certification in selection and recruiting

For many years project management has been moving toward professionalization through voluntary certification. Simultaneously, recruiters increasingly use voluntary professional certification as a signal of applicant competencies and likely future performance, to increase the efficiency of the selection process. This practice increases the value of certification to holders and leads to the growth of certification. However, despite significant research into the value of voluntary certification in numerous occupations, results linking certification with performance are tentative at best. We contribute to the growing body of research exploring the performance signaling ability of certification by empirically examining the case of project management professional certification using survey responses from 452 (certified (370), and uncertified (82)) international project managers. Our findings provide some support for this recruitment and selection practice, not through a direct relationship between certification and performance but by showing that self-efficacy mediates the relationship. Certification also relates to higher levels of professionalism. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings for recruiters, project management professionals, and professional associations.     

Dynamic Priority–Dynamic Programming Scheduling Method (DP)SM: a dynamic approach to resource constraint project scheduling

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to introduce and evaluate a dynamic priority scheduling model developed in this research for solving the resource constraint project scheduling problem and second, to introduce an improvement made upon the first model by cross-breeding Dynamic Programming with the Dynamic Priority Scheduling Method (DPSM). The second model, called the Dynamic Priority Dynamic Programming Scheduling Method [(DP)²SM], aims at optimising the staged resource allocation decisions in DPSM. DPSM divides a project into phases (cycles), the length of which depends on the duration of the project and the period of clock cycle selected. The scheduling process starts by allocating resources to the first phase/cycle using a variety of policies, then the best schedule is selected based on an objective function. The process continues till all the activities are scheduled. In DPSM the interaction between phases is ignored while the decisions of each phase or cycle will affect all the remaining phases. Using (DP)²SM it may be possible to improve the quality of a schedule and reduce the duration of a project by optimising the overall project schedule.     

Modeling contractors' project selection and markup decisions influenced by eminence

To be successful in a competitive environment, contractors have to prepare their bids wisely. The two main decisions they have to make are the project selection decision and the markup selection decision. This paper proposes a new optimization model that combines these two main decisions. It also takes into account the importance of eminence and previous works as the most important non-monetary evaluation criterion used by owners for evaluating bids. These factors combined with the two decisions make this model complex and nonlinear. To solve this model, a customized Genetic Algorithm is developed. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the result of the model is compared to the results of conventional models that only consider bidding markups. The comparison shows that considering eminence can increase the expected profit of the contractor to more than 25% under some evaluation criteria mindsets of the owner.     

设计变更方案比选与造价控制

本文通过对局部设计变更方案的优化与比选实例,探讨工程设计变更造价控制的一些做法。     

从环境影响评价角度谈合理进行建筑施工组织设计

简要介绍了环境影响评价制度的概念、评价内容和方法步骤以及作用,从环境影响评价的角度阐述了合理组织施工设计的重要性,并着重从施工方案选择和施工场区平面布置两方面探讨了如何从环境影响评价角度进行合理地施工组织设计.结果表明,根据环境影响评价报告中提出的各项环保措施来进行有针对性的施工组织设计,可有效降低项目建设对周围环境造成的不利影响,利于绿色施工原则的贯彻实施,具有良好的环境效益和社会效益.     

Solving multiple-criteria R&D project selection problems with a data-driven evidential reasoning rule

In this paper, a likelihood based evidence acquisition approach is proposed to acquire evidence from experts' assessments as recorded in historical datasets. Then a data-driven evidential reasoning rule based model is introduced to R&D project selection process by combining multiple pieces of evidence with different weights and reliabilities. As a result, the total belief degrees and the overall performance can be generated for ranking and selecting projects. Finally, a case study on the R&D project selection for the National Natural Science Foundation of China is conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed model.The data-driven evidential reasoning rule based model for project evaluation and selection (1) utilizes experimental data to represent experts' assessments by using belief distributions over the set of final funding outcomes, and through this historical statistics it helps experts and applicants to understand the funding probability to a given assessment grade, (2) implies the mapping relationships between the evaluation grades and the final funding outcomes by using historical data, and (3) provides a way to make fair decisions by taking experts' reliabilities into account. In the data-driven evidential reasoning rule based model, experts play different roles in accordance with their reliabilities which are determined by their previous review track records, and the selection process is made interpretable and fairer. The newly proposed model reduces the time-consuming panel review work for both managers and experts, and significantly improves the efficiency and quality of project selection process. Although the model is demonstrated for project selection in the NSFC, it can be generalized to other funding agencies or industries.     

选准切入点,让北京城市绿化更加多姿多彩--北京城市园林绿化树种选择发展的思考

全面分析了北京城市绿化树种应用的现状和存在问题，对北京未来园林绿化树种的发展趋势提出了建议和对策，认为发展乡土树种，加强选种，育种工作，积极开展彩叶植物引种驯化，突出北京城市园林特色，是当前北京城市园林绿化树种选择和发展所面临的重要课题。     

Project portfolio management: An integrated method for resource planning and scheduling to minimize planning/scheduling-dependent expenses

It is well known that the progress of R&D projects has more and more begun to rely on the availability of individual experts who are generally scarce and expensive. The matrix structure considers periodic staffing of project teams which has been found to be efficient for non-scarce human resources but is impractical for individual experts. Our objective is to develop and evaluate an alternative approach for resource planning and scheduling that might be useful for project portfolio management. The method we suggest is an extension of a recently developed optimization model for a job-shop with several machines and chance-constrained deliveries. Our method determines in advance the hiring and releasing points of individual experts that maximize economic gain subject to chance-constrained delivery commitments. For this purpose, we use a simulation based on a greedy priority dispatching rule as well as a cyclic coordinate descent search-algorithm. A benchmarking of the staffing of project teams and the integrative methods shows that integrated planning and scheduling is a very useful tool for the decision-making process in project portfolio management.     

成都市中心城区水资源现状及问题与对策

简要介绍了成都市中心城区水资源现状,分析了目前供水、污水处理、利用率三方面存在的问题,探讨了应对措施,提出了优化配置保障供水,节约用水,加强管理等对策,以期实现水资源的可持续开发和利用。     

某公路工程大厚度人工填土处置方案比选

公路工程穿越大厚度人工填土容易引发路基不均匀沉降、路面变形开裂等问题,其处置设计方案有多种选择,如何根据实际条件选择最优方案对项目的成本投入、工期、安全风险及环保等有极大影响。本文以甘肃省某城区连接线公路工程为研究对象,通过对比分析,选择了孔内深层强夯方案,一方面从安全着手,减少了因开挖扰动引起山体坍塌的风险,另一方面从环保入手,通过尽量少设置弃土场以充分保护植被,同时也满足了业主方对工期的要求。该方案的应用可为类似公路工程提供了借鉴。     

大温差风机盘管机组的特性与选用

工程中时常将常规供回水温度的风机盘管机组作为大温差冷水系统的空调末端.由于常规风机盘管机组的盘管水流程未改变,当供回水温差增大时,机组的水流量减小,水流速大幅降低,导致水阻力降低,从而可能会引起水系统的水力不平衡等问题,既不利于提升大温差冷水系统的节能效果,也不利于大温差风机盘管机组的应用.结合多年的研究、应用与实测工...