A model for promotion rate control in hierarchical manpower systems

In optimization models of hierarchical manpower systems, the numbers promoted from each of the grades in a time period are normally considered as decision variables. As a result, promotion rates, defined in terms of the proportions of staff promoted, can vary substantially from period to period in these models. Policies of this type may be unacceptable in practice because of their adverse impact on staff morale. In this paper, a mixed integer programming (MIP) manpower planning model is developed for determining minimum-cost manpower policies in which promotion rates remain stable while satisfying specified manpower requirements over the planning period. In this MIP model, promotion rates are considered as decision variables by using binary variables, and the model is solved by using an iterative procedure. The use of the approach is illustrated with representative data for a military system.