Product development process scheduling with multi-variable heuristic method
Year: 2008
Editor: S. Vajna
Author: Groma, I.; Bercsey, T.
Abstract
Nowadays, product development processes are typically specified as bounded work processes (as a workflow), and their treatment is performed by PLM systems. One of the benefits of this approach, as implemented by various PLM applications, is that it integrates PDM/EDM, and in some cases PPS, SCM tasks as well. However, development processes are unique and valid in a given context that changes over time. Therefore, it is suitable to use a DSM, through which one can get a more precise picture of the product during the development planning process. This approach supports the modelling of iterations that are quintessential in practice. With the help of genetic algorithm-based optimization, one can find the development schedule with the least duration and cost by changing the schedule of the product elements. As a result, a project plan can be obtained and for each element, the required resources can be assigned. For solving the problem of resource assignment, a heuristic method was worked out where the project plan is fitted to the enterprise resource environment by applying various strategies, focusing on minimizing the duration of the development project.
Keywords: Genetic Algorithms, Task Scheduling, Resource Allocation, DSM, Product Development