Resource Leveling and Other Resource Management Problems

Abstract

We formulate the resource leveling problem with different objective functions and present a heuristic solution algorithm. This problem aims at minimizing the variation in resource utilization over time. By this way, resource planning and procurement could be easier and cheaper. Owing to these advantages, project management software packages generally include leveling algorithms. In addition to studying the well-known leveling problem, we formulate the resource availability cost problem (RACP). Different than the resource leveling problem, in the RACP the maximum resource demand is considered, and the resource cost is optimized. Different resource management policies are discussed. The resource portfolio management problem is introduced. Finally, we present a case study on resource leveling in the context of an annual audit project.