Integrated problem solving steering framework on clash reconciliation strategies for university examination timetabling problem

Abstract

University Examination timetabling problem (UETP) is a hard combinatorial scheduling and it is fully automated. Visualization and steering of critical processing phases like examination clashes identification are essential for effective data analysis by examination timetabling research community. The visual analytics combined steering framework with interactive visualization techniques needs to take into account for both the inputs of the researcher (human timetabler) and the critical needs of the application including simulations and continuous visualization of significant events. In this work, we have developed an integrated problem solving environment (PSE) a computational steering mechanism for user-driven and automated steering interactions. The well sophisticated ExamViz user interface is for simulations, and analysis for critical conflict and reconciliation with visual cues. ExamViz provides the user steering control visualization over various parameters of the inputs, including the initial raw data solutions. The user are able to interact with conflicting data while the decision making algorithm in execution with visual cues to reconciliate the clashes and guide the user throughout the improvement of the solution. We have evaluated our approach for 13-real world examination timetabling problem (Carter et., al 1996) and the result are reported. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.