Task assignment considering cross-training goals and due dates

Abstract

When a worker performs a task at which he is not fully experienced, he is increasing his future performance in doing this task. Thus, task assignment can consider objectives regarding task accomplishment and objectives regarding cross-training. The contribution of this paper lies in presenting and modelling the assignment of a set of tasks to a set of workers considering cross-training goals and that some of the tasks have to be completed at given due dates. The influence of the experience of one task on the performance on other tasks is taken into account. The model allows (1) testing the feasibility of a given combination of cross-training goals and due dates; (2) obtaining the task assignment that maximises the total work done – considering the tasks that have a due date and the tasks that do not; and (3) calculating the change on the total quantity of work performed because of the establishment of cross-training goals or due dates. A computational experiment is carried out by using MILP optimisation software.