Genetic Algorithm for Managing Project Activities System

Abstract

The paper presents a Genetic Algorithms technique, used to optimize project schedule created in Microsoft Project. The proposed model is called OPTPROJECT. The proposed application is simple and at the same time general enough for optimization of projects, where the high cost activities have to be performed last (at the end of the project). It can be used to manage both small and large projects.

Application of Genetic Algorithms for Decision-Making in Project Management: A Literature Review

“…The most common types of chromosome encoding in the reviewed studies are binary code [11], [12], [18], [23], [24], [35], [36] and integer number strings [7], [33], [41]. Other types also used in some studies are chromosome encoding types, such as the list of strings [8], graph nodes [38] and encoding method proposed by the authors [43]. In two of the reviewed articles [6], [19], the authors do not suggest a specific chromosome encoding method.…”

“…Project, Task and Activity-based limitations include limitations, such as (1) a lack of methods to assign priorities for activities (at the moment, the authors use the random principle) [38]; (2) the need for a project to finish by the deadline [7], [8] and the way to meet the project deadline [8]; (3) specific nature of a model, which is project-dependent and mostly cannot be used in other projects or different areas of knowledge [38]; (4) task/activity execution sequences, defined start and end activities, and their due dates [11], but more importantly the duration of the task, as well as the preservation of task relations [8]; (5) preventing the situation when development team members need performing more than one task at the same time in the project [36]; (6) employees not working overtime (however, there are situations when some people work more than 8 hours per day) [12]; avoiding the over-booking of the resources [8]; (7) no relation between the number of human resources participating in one activity and the effort for communication [12], the classification of human resources based on their skills as well as price for a time unit defined by a certain group [8]; (8) the number of developers (human resources) assigned to a task, which results in resources that are "wasted" on tasks that can be accomplished with fewer development team members, as well as reducing communication between development team members [24], [36].…”

“…Cost-based limitations include costs for the projects and project human resources that should be met during the project Information Technology and Management Science _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 2019/22 25 (appear at the beginning of the tasks, but the contractor gets paid at the end of the project) [8].…”

“…Task limitations [17] Cost-based limitations Task limitations [17] • Effort estimation problems [9], [36], [39] Project, Task or Activity-based limitations Task limitations [4], [7]- [9], [11], [12], [20], [24], [36], [38], [44] Cost-based limitations Task limitations [39] Input values and algorithm performance limitations Technical limitations [2], [3], [5], [7], [10], [12], [14], [19], [21], [31], [32], [35], [38] - [42] GA not solving a practical problem Task limitations [18], [45] GA model-based limitations Task limitations [8], [16] Information Technology and Management Science _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 2019/22 29 This can be controlled by implementing additional checks of chromosomes against rules: setting dependencies with other tasks and activities for each tack/activity (which have to be finished before the start of the task/activity, and which tasks/activities can only be started when the specific task/activity is finished.…”

“…(3) Project Schedule Management; (4) Project Cost Management; (5) Project Quality Management; (6) Project Resource Management; (7) Project Communication Management; (8) Project Risk Management; (9) Project Procurement Management; (10) Project Stakeholder Management [1].…”