Two-level Tabu-predatory search for schedule risk control of IT outsourcing projects

Abstract

The rapid development of the information technology (IT) outsourcing industry is making the schedule risk control of IT outsourcing projects an urgent problem which calls for study. This paper proposes a bilevel schedule risk control model using a hierarchical structure for IT outsourcing projects. The decision processes of clients and vendors at the top and base levels are described, respectively. A two-level Tabu-predatory search (TLTPS) with a two-level structure and the capability to find neighborhoods is designed to suit the hierarchical structure and the complexity of the problem. On the other hand, five other algorithms are introduced to compare with TLTPS. Numerical experiments verify the decision support effect of the proposed model and algorithm for the schedule risk control problem in IT outsourcing projects.