For the basic problem of scheduling a set of n independent jobs on a set of m identical parallel machines with the objective of maximizing the minimum machine completion timeâalso referred to as machine coveringâwe propose a new exact branch-and-bound algorithm. Its most distinctive components are a different symmetry-breaking solution representation, enhanced lower and upper bounds, and effective novel dominance criteria derived from structural patterns of optimal schedules. Results of a comprehensive computational study conducted on benchmark instances attest to the effectiveness of our approach, particularly for small ratios of n to m

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The paper on hand approaches the classical makespan minimization problem on identical parallel machines from a rather theoretical point of view. Using an approach similar to the idea behind inverse optimization, we identify a general structural pattern of optimal multiprocessor schedules. We also show how to derive new dominance rules from the characteristics of optimal solutions. Results of our computational study attest to the efficacy of the new rules. They are particularly useful in limiting the search space when each machine processes only a few jobs on average.