Modeling and solving a selection and assignment problem

Abstract

In this paper, we first provide an MIP formulation of a selection/assignment problem and then we discuss a solution method based both on the use of a commercial general-purpose scatter-search and a simple implementation of tabu search. This optimization problem is related to a research project supported by the Office of Naval Research where sailors need to be selected to perform a set of jobs that require specific skill levels. The results of our computational experiments indicate the usefulness of the software system for workforce planning that we have developed. © 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.