Parallel, multistage model for enterprise system of systems

Abstract

This paper describes a parallel, multistage optimization approach to enterprise system design and operations where a system design is linked with system operations (e.g., resource allocation) along the multistage decision making horizon. Our approach is composed of two parts: multistage formulation, and task-parallel algorithm. The formulation utilizes the quasi-separability of the multistage decision making structure, i.e., allowing relaxation by defining the linking variables for adjacent stages of decision making. The task-parallel algorithm enables optimal load balancing of the tasks and it is validated in the demonstration case where an airline plans to introduce multiple new aircraft to capture dynamically changing travel demand. Due to the complexity added onto the upcoming future stages in the optimization processes, a linearly increasing computational load is assumed as the number of stages increases. By utilizing this linearity, the proposed task- parallel algorithm demonstrates significant speedups and parallel performances.