Employee scheduling and makespan minimization in a flow shop with multi-processor work stations: a case study

This paper describes the development of a mixed integer linear programming model for a flow shop with multi-processor workstations. The primary objective of the model is to minimize makespan through lot-streaming. A secondary objective is to determine workforce size and schedule. A constant daily workload is assumed. The model is simple enough to be understood and implemented by managers and supervisors using readily available spreadsheet programs. An actual process, at a local insurance company handling a moderate daily level of document and payment processing, is used as a case study. The results of the case study yielded an improvement in the makespan of the current process. The model, shown in this paper to be a useful tool in the document processing industry, is generic enough to be applied to other multi-processor flow shops.