Title: A multi-agent system for DRCMPSP based on auction and critical chain

Authors: Minghui Chen; Zhe Zhang

Addresses: School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China ' School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China

Abstract: This paper develops a multi-agent system based on auction and critical chain (MAS/AC) for decentralised resource constrained multiple project scheduling problem (DRCMPSP). In this system, parallel projects are to be scheduled simultaneously under the consideration of multi-objectives, where the allocation of global resources is independent from the allocation of activities and local resources through a multi-agent system. The critical chain method (CCM) is applied to adjust the schedule and local resource constraints of each single project. Subsequently, multiple objectives of different projects are considered in the process of calculating bid price. Moreover, the distribution of global resources is conducted by AA employed combinatorial auction. Through the interactive communication between AA and PAs, parallel projects could be scheduled simultaneously with respect to their different characteristics and interests, and the benefits of the whole system could be ensured meanwhile. An experimental example together is applied to demonstrate the efficiency and superiority of MAS/AC.

Keywords: decentralised projects; resource constraints; multiple projects; project scheduling; multi-agent systems; MAS; agent-based systems; combinatorial auctions; critical chain method; CCM; bid price; parallel projects; simultaneous scheduling; project management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2016.081092

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2016 Vol.9 No.3, pp.229 - 258

Received: 19 Jul 2016
Accepted: 23 Jul 2016
Published online: 20 Dec 2016 *

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