José Manuel Galán Ordax

Price Updating in Combinatorial Auctions for Coordination of Manufacturing Multiagent Systems

In this work we use the paradigm of multiagent systems to solve the Job Shop problem. Job Shop problem is a particular problem of scheduling in which we try to find an schedule that optimize a objective and is subject to certain constraints. We propose a combinatorial auction mechanism to coordinate agents. The “items” to be sold are the time slots that we divide the time horizon into. In tasks scheduling problems tasks need a combination of time slots of multiple resources to do the operations. The use of auctions in which different valuations of interdependent items are considered (e.g. combinatorial auctions) is necessary. A certain time slot will be more valuated to the extent that it enables task to finish the job on time, together with the other time slot bought. Job-agents are price-takers in the model. The auctioneer fixes prices comparing the demand over a time slot of a resource with the capacity of the resource in this time slot. There are many ways to update prices (e.g. constant increase or decrease of prices, proportional to the demand, proportional to the excess of demand). Our objective is to compare the different methods of updating prices based on those of the lagrangian relaxation solving method.

GESTIÓN EFICIENTE DE CARTERAS DE PROYECTOS. PROPUESTA DE UN SISTEMA INTELIGENTE DE SOPORTE A LA DECISIÓN PARA OFICINAS TÉCNICAS Y EMPRESAS CONSULTORAS

In this paper, we show how an approach inspired on allocation procedures used in financial markets allows an efficient resource assignment in multi-project environments. This novel approach can give support to engineering and consultancy companies, with their project portfolio planning and scheduling in dynamicenvironments. Project portfolio and resources availability change over time because of changes in the firm’s strategy, because of individual project overruns or simply, as a result of environmental changes. Therefore, resources need to be re-allocated dynamically. In our methodology, projects and resources play the role of economic agents. Projects are defined by means of tasks to be performed according to precedence relations. Resources are endowed with some skills and competences (knowledge, labour time, etc.) which are necessary to perform the tasks. Projects ask for resources and resources offer their capabilities depending on their time availability. An “auction” takes place and the price of resources in a particular time-slot reflects the relation between availability and demand of resource capabilities. We describe an example to show how the methodology works. A pilot model can be used in Technical Engineering Offices in order to support portfolio scheduling decisions.

LA EMPRESA COMO CARTERA DE PROYECTOS Y PROGRAMAS.

Firms need to support the undergoing strategic projects and programs. In this paper we show how Project Management can lead the challenge to build up the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO). We show preliminary experiences that confirm that this institution allows aligning strategy and the projects in the organization. We describe and analyze how it can be created in an engineering consultancy firm through a strategic project program along four years.