A MODEL MANAGEMENT SOLUTION SYSTEM FOR MULTICOMMODITY NETWORK FLOWS

There are certain decision problems in the industry for which theoreti cally reasonable optimization models are not usable in practice, eithe r because the model is cumbersome and difficult, or because the decisi on information produced is inappropriate and poorly focused on the pro blem at hand. The class of models known in operations research literat ure as multicommodity network flows belongs in this category. This pap er presents a decision modeling system for multicommodity network flow s using model management techniques to generate part-solutions targete d on the decision maker's specific queries. This method avoids the rep eated complex solution process of a large model. The decision maker ca n direct his attention to decision issues, without regard to the techn ical characteristics of the model. The dynamic character of the decisi on process is enhanced by direct interaction with the normal business database. The decision modeling system is illustrated here with a prob lem in the operations of a hypothetical oil company, a typical example of multicommodity network flows.