A FRAMEWORK FOR DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

Considering a decision support system as a tool where executive's judg ment can be included along with the mathematical tool kit of the manag ement scientist, this paper shows the need to include problem manageme nt as an integral component of the decision support system for schedul ing problems. A methodology based on the resolution of conflicts among various constraints in scheduling problems is proposed to implement t he problem management system in a decision support system for these pr oblems. The paper concludes with some guidelines to create a workable framework for providing effective. decision support to solve schedulin g problems and the identification of some fruitful directions for futu re research. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.