Multi Objective Decision Analysis for Assignment Problems

Abstract

One of the most common problems in Operations Research is the assignment problem. It deals with the optimization of a decision makers' goal by matching objects in one group (jobs) with objects in another (machines). Flight scheduling in fighter squadrons is a hard and complicated problem which comes with a dynamic environment and multiple decision makers and goals. Using pilots as machines and missions to be flown as jobs, the fighter squadron flight scheduling problem can be solved like an assignment problem with multiple goals. This research develops a new way to solve the multi-objective assignment problem and demonstrates this new approach using the fighter squadron flight scheduling problem as an example. In this research, the Value Focused Thinking method is applied to build a decision analysis model to help decision makers in fighter squadrons evaluate the mission-pilot matches. The decision model built with the help of experienced schedulers is used not only for evaluating matches but also for ordering assignments to see priorities. To verify and validate this model, ten groups of alternatives were randomly created and evaluated by the model and the decision maker. The results from this analysis show that the decision model is valid and proved to be helpful and accelerated the assignment matching process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA539362

Entities

People

  • Mehmet Durkan

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • Heuristic Methods
  • Instructors
  • Literature Surveys
  • Mathematical Models
  • Operations Research
  • Optimization
  • Scheduling (Production)
  • Squadrons
  • Students
  • Thinking
  • Training

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Naval Personnel Management
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.