Goal Programming Model Formulation Strategies

Abstract

Controversy is a part of any modeling effort, particularly goal programming (GP) modeling. Unfortunately controversy in the way GP models are formulated and presented in the literature has undoubtedly lead to many useful and potentially great models being rejected in the review process for publication. There is need for both the creators of GP models and journal reviewers to understand some of the basics and confusing issues of GP model formulation that exist in the literature. The purpose of this chapter is to review issues related to GP model formulation strategies that have appeared in the literature. This review of issues and survey of available literature may help researchers to avoid common pitfalls in the practice of GP model formulation. In addition this chapter seeks describe a synergistic approach for GP with other management science/operations research models as a strategy for publication. This chapter also reviews the literature on a number of model structural element methodologies as tactics for improving GP models. A GOAL PROGRAMMING MODEL FORMULATION PROCEDURE To formulate any of the GP models presented in Chapter 1 will include some, if not all of the following steps that can be found in any basic management science/operations research (MS/OR) or GP book (see Scbniederjans 1984, pp.71-72): (1) define the decision variables, (2) state the constraints, (3) determine the preemptive priorities if need be, (4) determine the relative weights if need be, (5) state the objective function, and (6) state the nonnegativitiy or given requirements. Regardless of whose GP book or article is used, these basic steps should be a part of any GP model formulation strategy. Unfortunately at each step in the formulation process it is possible to misformulate a model. The issues that are often overlooked and give rise to a misformulation are the subject of the next section of this chapter.