scholarly journals A Constraint-Based Declarative Programming Framework for Scheduling and Resource Allocation Problems

2019 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 69-90
Author(s):  
Jarosław Wikarek ◽  
Paweł Sitek

Scheduling and resource allocation problems are widespread in many areas of today’s technology and management. Their different forms and structures appear in production, logistics, software engineering, computer networks, project and human resources management, services, etc. The literature (problem classification, scheduling and resource allocation models, solutions) is vast and exhaustive. In practice, however, classical scheduling problems with fixed structures and standard constraints (precedence, disjoint, etc.) are rare. Practical scheduling problems include also logical and nonlinear constraints, and they use nonstandard criteria of schedule evaluations. Indeed, in many cases, decision makers are interested in the feasibility and/or optimality of a given schedule for specified conditions formulated as general and/or specific questions. Thus, there is a need to develop a programming framework that will facilitate the modeling and solving of a variety of diverse scheduling problems. The framework should be able to (a) model any types of constraints, (b) ask questions/criteria relating to the schedule execution mode and (c) be highly effective in finding solutions (schedule development). This paper proposes such a constraint-based declarative programming framework for modeling and solving scheduling problems which satisfies the assumptions above. It was built with the Constraint Logic Programming (CLP) environment and supported with Mathematical Programming (MP). The functionality and effectiveness of this framework are presented with the use of an illustrative example for the resource-constrained scheduling problem with additional resources.

2015 ◽  
Vol 799-800 ◽  
pp. 1149-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladislav A. Chekanin ◽  
Alexander V. Chekanin

The object-oriented class library designed for solving various optimization problems of resource allocation, including problems of cutting materials and any dimensional packing problems, is described in this paper. The class library enables obtaining of suboptimal solutions of NP-completed resource allocation problems using standard evolutionary and modified heuristic optimization algorithms. The developed class library can be used in creation of an applied software for a wide class of optimization problems, including problems of resource allocation in storage systems and logistics, problems of cutting materials on machine tools with numerical control, scheduling problems and a large set of other practical problems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Bartelink ◽  
D Yacaman Mendez ◽  
A Lager

Abstract Issue Public health problems and interventions are often addressed in sub-optimal ways by not prioritizing them based on the best available evidence. Description of the Problem The public health report 2019 for the Stockholm region aims to inform decision makers, politicians, and public health workers about the risk factors and diseases that account for the biggest part of the burden of disease with a clear focus on high quality evidence and communication of main messages. How did the public health report 2019 affect public health policy in the Stockholm region? Results The public health report 2019 influenced agenda setting, resource allocation and priority setting in the Stockholm region. Lessons We identified the following facilitating factors in the process, of which most also are supported in scientific literature, in chronological order: 1) understanding the policymaking context to be aware of windows of opportunity, 2) establishing relationships with relevant policymakers, engage with them routinely in the decision-making process, and being accessible for questions, 3) doing high-quality research by considering the latest scientific literature, multiple data sources and involving academic experts in the field, 4) communicating clear and relevant messages for generalists by translating research into easy-understandable texts and attractive figures, and 5) active dissemination of the report through multiple channels. In addition, the following barriers were identified: 1) the timeframe of the policymaking process was not in line with the research process, and 2) involving politicians in an early stage can potentially harm the objectivity of research in media messages. Key messages By focussing on major problems, high quality evidence and clear messages a public health report can contribute to more evidence-informed policy making. Engaging decision makers in the process of public health reporting is critical for the impact on agenda setting, resource allocation, and priority setting.


2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (03) ◽  
pp. 244-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Drummond ◽  
J. Sanford Schwartz ◽  
Bengt Jönsson ◽  
Bryan R. Luce ◽  
Peter J. Neumann ◽  
...  

Health technology assessment (HTA) is a dynamic, rapidly evolving process, embracing different types of assessments that inform real-world decisions about the value (i.e., benefits, risks, and costs) of new and existing technologies. Historically, most HTA agencies have focused on producing high quality assessment reports that can be used by a range of decision makers. However, increasingly organizations are undertaking or commissioning HTAs to inform a particular resource allocation decision, such as listing a drug on a national or local formulary, defining the range of coverage under insurance plans, or issuing mandatory guidance on the use of health technologies in a particular healthcare system. A set of fifteen principles that can be used in assessing existing or establishing new HTA activities is proposed, providing examples from existing HTA programs. The principal focus is on those HTA activities that are linked to, or include, a particular resource allocation decision. In these HTAs, the consideration of both costs and benefits, in an economic evaluation, is critical. It is also important to consider the link between the HTA and the decision that will follow. The principles are organized into four sections: (i) “Structure” of HTA programs; (ii) “Methods” of HTA; (iii) “Processes for Conduct” of HTA; and (iv) “Use of HTAs in Decision Making.”


1995 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 410-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ramanathan ◽  
L.S. Ganesh

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document