Integrated workforce scheduling.

The project aims at the development of a generic model to generate integrated cyclic workforce time schedules for crews, shifts or individuals. The model assumes the total workload (this is the total amount of work, expressed in person-hours, to be performed within specific time frames) to be known beforehand, but subject to variability. However, contrary to the existing models, we consider the workload allocation to (own choice or imposed) time intervals within these time frames as a variable. As such, we can determine when the work will be performed within these time frames. Further, we assume that the starting and ending times for each time frame are variable. This will allow us to integrate the workforce scheduling and staffing process with other operational processes within the organization in order to obtain a better overall solution. Applications of this problem type can be found in hospitals where the workload depends on the operating room planning, in airports where each plane that lands should undergo a maintenance check within a specific time frame, project scheduling where the workload depends on the timing of the different activities, etc. This research has three objectives: (1) Introduction of variable workload, (2) Integrated staffing and scheduling and (3) Introduction of uncertainty in the integrated problem approach.

Keywords:Operations management, Workforce scheduling

Disciplines:Business administration and accounting, Management