Modeling and solving a real-life multi-skill shift design problem

Abstract

In this work, we consider the shift design problem and we define a novel, complex formulation arising from practical cases. In addition, we propose a new search method based on a fast Simulated Annealing, that, differently from previous approaches, solves the overall problem as a single-stage procedure. The core of the method is a composite neighborhood that includes at the same time changes in the staffing of shifts, the shape of shifts, and the position of breaks. Finally, we present a statistically-principled experimental analysis on a set of instances obtained from real cases. Both instances and results are available on the web for future comparisons.

Demand smoothing in shift design

“…The proposed model considers the three main decisions in shift design while including demand smoothing and most of the common problem characteristics from the literature such as night shifts, skills and minimizing under-and overstaffing. The model introduced by Bonutti et al (2017) lies closest to the one considered in the present paper with three notable differences. First, the present paper is the first to model demand smoothing in shift design.…”

“…Similar to the model proposed by Bonutti et al (2017), the present paper addresses the three aforementioned decisions simultaneously considering simplified break scheduling constraints. Di Gaspero et al (2010), meanwhile, present an integrated model for the three decisions including complex temporal break scheduling constraints, requiring a dedicated constraint programming model integrated in a heuristic search algorithm to solve the resulting problem.…”

“…The instances used in the experiments are derived from the dataset published by Bonutti et al (2017). The existing demand patterns were adapted to fit a time granularity of Γ = 30 minutes.…”

Solving the shift and break design problem using integer linear programming

“…Solutions found for the instances in which a solution without overstaffing and understaffing might not exist are not competitive with results from the literature. A variation on the shift design problem is studied by Bonutti et al (2016). The authors extend the shift design problem to have multiple types of skills for employees.…”