Based on the shared journey of two researchers, this book explores enhancing algorithms for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem. It examines the search for and significance of project data from multiple, distinct perspectives. In the first part, the quest for project data is presented as a continuous exploration of the complexity of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem. This quest is pursued by solving this challenging problem with the aid of state-of-the-art algorithms from the literature, each time gaining a deeper understanding of its challenging nature.

To provide insights into the problem's complexity, project data is created, manipulated, and analyzed in depth to make current projects easier or harder to schedule.

This challenging quest for project data has resulted in new project databases for academic research, new ways of testing future algorithms, and insights into how to improve future algorithms to solve this project scheduling problem with limited resources. In turn, the second part discusses the relevance of project data, demonstrating to the reader the importance of the academic research presented in the first part for the professional world. It shows how project data can be used to calibrate real project data, leading to improved decision-making, e.g. for project scheduling, forecasting, and risk analysis.

The book extends a warm invitation to academics and practitioners alike, as fellow seekers of knowledge, to enhance their project management skills.

Reviews and compares different studies on the resource-constrained project scheduling problem in an understandable way Provides a comprehensive summary of existing and new artificial and empirical project databases available Offers guidelines for designing algorithms and testing them on new project data

Autorentext

Prof Dr Mario Vanhoucke is associate professor at Ghent University and Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School (Belgium). He teaches Project Management, Business Statistics and Applied Operations Research. He is program director of the Bachelors and Masters in Business Engineering and the advanced Master in Operations and Technology Management and is a partner of OR-AS. His main research interest lies in simulation and optimization models in project scheduling and scheduling in the health care sector. This November he was awarded the 2008 International Project Management Association Research Award for the research project upon which this proposed book is based -(http://www.ipma.ch/awards/resawards/Pages/winnersandhonours2008.aspx).

Inhalt

Do We Have Enough Project Data? (Part 1).- Do the Projects Exist in Reality?.- Do We Have Good Schedules for the Projects?.- Can We Solve Every Project Instance?.- Why Is the RCPSP So Difficult? (Part 1).- Can We Make the Projects Easier? (Part 1).- Why Is the RCPSP So Difficult? (Part 2).- Can We Make the Projects Easier? (Part 2).- How to Make the Project Data Practically Relevant?.- Do We Have Enough Project Data? (Part 2).