An Optimization Based Heuristic for Scheduling Parallel Project Networks with Constrained Renewable Resources

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Abstract
In this paper we address the scheduling problem for the simultaneous management of multiple resource constrained project networks in parallel. This situation is common in the construction of a housing development where the building contractor is concerned with the simultaneous completion of a number of individual, identical construction projects. If only one project were managed, a resource constrained critical path method could be utilized. In this paper we present a model for the simultaneous planning of many individual project networks. We formulate the problem as an integer program that is similar to models found in the inventory/production scheduling literature. A Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition is used to obtain solutions to the linear programming relaxation of the problem. The algorithm selects a subset of these solutions to form a final schedule. Computational results are presented. Extensions of the algorithm, including non-identical projects, alternative objective functions and implementation on a rolling horizon are also discussed.