Concepts for improving scheduling decisions: An application in the chemical industry

This paper presents a framework for the improvement of scheduling decisions in chemical processing environments. The purpose of the proposed framework is to provide complete scheduling performance transparency and contribute to better decision making. Criteria necessary for performance measured in the scheduling of chemical processes are identified and combined to allow for the evaluation of overall scheduling quality. Criteria aggregation is realized by a multi criteria analysis method that utilizes the concepts of criteria classification and substitution rate assessments. A decision-support concept for applying and utilizing performance evaluation is motivated; it includes benchmark evaluation, alteration evaluation, and strategy evaluation. Finally, a concept for comprehensive schedule improvement including the functions diagnosis, anticipation, evaluation, and improvement is presented. The proposed concepts were developed for a specific company in the chemical industry. With minor modifications, they are applicable to other production settings, too.