Augmented heuristic algorithm for multi-skilled resource scheduling

Conventional project scheduling is restricted to single-skilled resource assumption where each worker is assumed to have only one skill. This, in effect, contradicts real-world practice where workers may possess multiple skills and, on several occasions, are assigned to perform tasks for which they are not specialized. Past research has shown a simple process of heuristic approach for multi-skilled resource scheduling where a project is planned under the assumption that each resource can have more than one skill and resource substitution is allowed. Nevertheless, the approach has presented resource substitution step where an activity with higher priority can claim any resource regardless of its concurrent activities' resource requirements. Furthermore, the approach is subjected to all-or-nothing resource assignment concept where an activity cannot start and resources are not needed for that activity at all unless the required resources of that activity can be completely fulfilled. This research presents an alternative heuristic approach for multi-skilled resource scheduling in an attempt to improve the resource substitution approach. Augmented resource substitution rule and resource-driven task duration are presented to increase starting opportunity of activities on earlier time. Case studies are presented to illustrate the improved result of shorter project duration. ► AHAMRS is a heuristic-based algorithm for solving multi-skilled resource scheduling to achieve minimum project duration. ► AHAMRS provides rigorous sequence of resource assignment and substitution rules where worker expertise and task priority are taken into consideration. ► AHRAMS allows activities that are not under the team constrained condition to start with partial resource fulfilment in order to increase starting opportunity of activities at earlier time. ► Daily progress of activities with partial resource fulfilment are adjusted based on the proportion between assigned and required man-date of the bottle-neck resource. ► AHRAMS can significantly reduce project duration compared to other existing heuristic-based resource scheduling approaches.