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Skill-based framework for optimal software project selection and resource allocation

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  • Zaraket, Fadi A.
  • Olleik, Majd
  • Yassine, Ali A.

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual framework and a mathematical formulation for software resource allocation and project selection at the level of software skills. First, we introduce a skill-based framework that considers universities, software companies, and potential projects of a country. Based on this framework, we formulate a linear integer program PMax which determines the selection of projects and the allocation of human resources that maximize profit for a certain company. We show that PMax is NP-complete. Therefore, we devise a meta-heuristic, called Tabu Select and Greedily Allocate (TSGA), to overcome the computational complexities. When compared to PMax running on CPLEX, TSGA performs 15 times faster with an accuracy of 98% on small to large size problems where CPLEX converges. On larger problems where CPLEX does not return an answer, TSGA computes a feasible solution in the order of minutes.

Suggested Citation

  • Zaraket, Fadi A. & Olleik, Majd & Yassine, Ali A., 2014. "Skill-based framework for optimal software project selection and resource allocation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 234(1), pages 308-318.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:234:y:2014:i:1:p:308-318
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2013.09.035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gutjahr, Walter J. & Katzensteiner, Stefan & Reiter, Peter & Stummer, Christian & Denk, Michaela, 2010. "Multi-objective decision analysis for competence-oriented project portfolio selection," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 205(3), pages 670-679, September.
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    4. Herroelen, Willy & Leus, Roel, 2005. "Project scheduling under uncertainty: Survey and research potentials," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(2), pages 289-306, September.
    5. Brucker, Peter & Drexl, Andreas & Mohring, Rolf & Neumann, Klaus & Pesch, Erwin, 1999. "Resource-constrained project scheduling: Notation, classification, models, and methods," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(1), pages 3-41, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Behrad Barghi & Shahram Shadrokh Sikari, 2022. "Meta-heuristic Solution with Considering Setup Time for Multi-Skilled Project Scheduling Problem," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Mangesh Gharote & Rahul Patil & Sachin Lodha, 2017. "Scatter search for trainees to software project requirements stable allocation," Journal of Heuristics, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 257-283, August.
    3. Nomeda Dobrovolskienė & Rima Tamošiūnienė, 2016. "Sustainability-Oriented Financial Resource Allocation in a Project Portfolio through Multi-Criteria Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-18, May.

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