Richard F. Deckro

Evaluating information assurance strategies

The information revolution has provided new and improved capabilities to rapidly disseminate and employ information in decision-making. Enhancing and enabling for todays modern industry, these capabilities are critical to our national infrastructures. These capabilities, however, often rely upon systems interconnected throughout the world, resulting in potentially increased vulnerability to attack and compromise of data by globally dispersed threats.This paper develops a methodology facilitating the generation of information assurance strategies and implementing measures to assess them. Upon reviewing key factors and features of information assurance, value focused thinking is used to develop an information assurance analysis framework.

Optimization Analysis for Design and Planning of Multi-project Programs

Program management concerns the long term planning, coordination, and control of major technological, engineering, scientific, and/or developmental activities. In general, programs tend to be exceptionally large, consisting of several parallel or sequential projects or groups of projects. While a large number of modeling efforts have focused at the project level, this paper looks at the application of optimization techniques to the initial design and development of multi-project programs. The classic work breakdown structure (WBS) is used as a framework to provide an aggregate model to investigate the effects of funding levels, resource allocation, and program, project, and component durations. Decomposition, sensitivity analysis, and parametric programming are utilized to provide the decision maker detailed information for establishing program parameters, conditions, and bounds.

Nonlinear time/cost tradeoff models in project management

Abstract In this paper we develop a series of nonlinear time/cost tradeoff models for project management. A base model with quadratic cost relations is developed and then extended to include other operational considerations. The use of nonlinear functions to describe time/cost relationships in project scheduling environments permits a more accurate representation of the operational setting than is possible with linear or piecewise linear approximations. Examples of the models presented are solved directly with commercially available nonlinear programming codes.

A decomposition approach to multi-project scheduling

Abstract This paper develops the use of a decomposition algorithm in solving a resource limited, multi-project scheduling problem. The decomposition approach offers two distinct advantages over a direct optimization approach: (1) the ability to realistically solve large problems, and (2) the option of using the decomposition approach as a heuristic. This approach provides a performance measure on all feasible solutions, allowing the user to decide if further calculation expense is warranted in view of the absolute potential gain in the incumbent solution value.

A heuristic for multi-project scheduling with limited resources in the housing industry

A heuristic scheduling and control model is developed for the multi-project, resource constrained scheduling environment. The model is developed from actual firm data using the Kurtulus and Davis approach to select appropriate heuristic decision rules. Resource profiles, calculation of multi-project resource constrained slack and the schedule are outputs of the model. A routine to update current projects status is provided with this model for control purposes in an ongoing operational environment. While developed for the housing industry, the modelling approach has broad application in a number of multi-project environments.

The social psychology of project management conflict

Abstract Project management conflict is examined in terms of role theory. Four types of role conflict - intersender, intrasender, interrole and person-role - are examined in light of four organizational sources: bifurcation of authority, technical complexity, internal politics, and project life cycle. Remedies are then proposed for reducing role conflict.

Balancing Cycle Time and Workstations

Abstract This paper develops a model which simultaneously considers the minimization of cycle time and the number of workstations in an assembly line balancing problem. The model is developed from such known zero-one formulations as the Patterson and Albract [13] and the Thangavelu and Shetty [17] models. The flexibility provided by the model should prove especially valuable in the planning stages of a line balancing operation.

Resource constrained project crashing

The resource constrained project crashing problem is reviewed. Models for two specific cases are developed by extending traditional project scheduling models. The development of the model for the resource critical crashing case is based on the Pritsker, Watters, and Wolfe model [16]. The model developed for the activity duration crashing case is based on Bowmans model [2]. The paper concludes with several suggestions for future research.

Multiple criteria job-shop scheduling

Abstract This paper presents a programming model for job shop scheduling which can consider a multiple-performance system of evaluations and incorporate multiple organizational goals. While the discussion is centered on the scheduling model formulated by Pritsker, Watters and Wolfe [8], the approach may be implemented (and the associated advantages realized) with other programming formulations of the job shop scheduling problem.

A goal approach to assembly line balancing

Abstract A zero-one goal programming model for the assembly line balancing problem is developed. The goal model provides increased flexibility in constructing line balances by simultaneously considering varying operational requirements, such as zoning, sequencing, idle time, cycle time and costs. A sensitivity analysis of an example model highlights the usefulness of the approach in the planning stages of a line balance development.