A methodology for schedule compression

Abstract

A generated schedule can be improved (especially on due date performance) simply by compressing the current schedule to the left. Additionally, two forms of schedule compression are available, i.e. simple compression and complex compression. In practical considerations, however, knowing exactly where the compression effort should be placed so that the schedule can be improved more efficiently is a relatively difficult task. This decision requires an evaluation methodology, which is the primary objective of this study. The evaluation methodology is based on the priority weight computation for those affected operations. The priority weight computation is an integration of sequence effect weight with time effect weight. The priority weight information provides not only where the compression effort should be placed but also the intelligent information of (1) the operations related to the compression effort and (2) the time that job(s) can be packed to the left. Specifics of the schedule compression concepts and algorithms of the evaluation methodology are also discussed.