Heuristic perturbation of optimization results in a DSS for instructor scheduling

摘要

In this paper we have described a DSS that uses a unique approach or integrating the strengths of management science and human judgement to provide support for a scheduling problem that needs inputs from both these areas of human expertise. The manager has the option of accepting a solution developed using optimization technique or intervening directly or indirectly to improve the solution. In intervening directly the manager makes specific changes to a schedule presented in natural format. In intervening indirectly the manager specifies the direction of change along with a step size. Knowledge based heuristics act automatically to revise the schedule in the direction specified. In addition mechanisms have been provided for the user to adapt existing solution to certain kinds of changes in the environment while minimizing the number of perturbations to the existing solution. The DSS has been implemented for scheduling instructors to executive development programs conducted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.