Keywords: resource-constrained project scheduling, fuzzy project scheduling, robust scheduling, metaheuristics, hybrid methods.

This paper presents a hybrid metaheuristic for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem with fuzzy activity durations. The heuristic algorithm produces "robust" resource-feasible schedules which are totally immune against uncertainties in the activity durations. Theoretically the robust schedule searching process is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming problem based on the "forbidden set" concept. The output of the model is an optimal (robust) conflict repairing relation set. The model developed by Csébfalvi [1] is insensitive to the "real meaning" of the input parameters, so the originally probabilistic (density function oriented) approach can be replaced by a possibilistic (membership function oriented) approach without essential modifications. The hybrid algorithm presented is based on the "sounds of silence" harmony search metaheuristic developed by Csébfalvi et al. [2,3]. In order to illustrate the essence and applicability of the proposed approach detailed computational results for two problems are presented. The first problem is a small motivating example, the second problem is a larger project instance presented firstly by Golenko-Ginzburg and Gonic [4] and discussed by several authors in the literature. To generate the optimal solutions a state-of-the-art MILP solver (CPLEX) was used.

1

G. Csébfalvi, "Robust resource-constrained project scheduling with uncertain activity durations", in B.H.V. Topping, J.M. Adam, F.J. Pallarés, R. Bru, M.L. Romero, (Editors), "Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, United Kingdom, paper 94, 2010. doi:10.4203/ccp.94.94

2

G. Csébfalvi, A. Csébfalvi, E. Szendroi, "A harmony search metaheuristic for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem and its multi-mode version", in F.S. Serifoglu, Ü. Bilge, (Editors), "Proceedings of the Eleventh International Workshop on Project Management and Scheduling", Istanbul, Turkey, 56-59, April 28-30, 2008.

3

G. Csébfalvi, O. Eliezer, B. Láng, R. Levi, "A conflict repairing harmony search metaheuristic and its application for bi-objective resource-constrained project scheduling problems", in F.S. Serifoglu, Ü. Bilge, (Editors), "Proceedings of the Eleventh International Workshop on Project Management and Scheduling", Istanbul, Turkey, 60-63, April 28-30, 2008.

4

D. Golenko-Ginzburg, A. Gonik, "Stochastic network project scheduling with non-consumable limited resources", International Journal of Production Economics, 48, 29-37, 1997. doi:10.1016/S0925-5273(96)00019-9

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