Modelling production scheduling systems

Effective production scheduling plays a vital role in modern production processes. The complexity of scheduling requires efficient representation and solution methods for the underlying problems. Analysis and design of information systems for production scheduling challenges two research areas which are scheduling theory and software engineering. The approaches of either disciplines have to be harmonized. With this objective a model is presented which shows how object-oriented data structures and efficient problem solving can be combined. The model is generated with special regard to a restricted set of problems. Nevertheless, it can be easily customized to broader fields of application. With this some object-oriented reference model is given for design and implementation of production scheduling software.