A multiobjective scheduling algorithm to minimize production loss based on setup times

A processing sequence is simply the order in which the jobs are processed through the machines. We address a job sequencing problem with setup times that arises in real-world production planning contexts. One of the serious problems for suppliers is the modification of production plans and sequences which may occur frequently due to the customer needs. When the planners are faced with such cases, usually there is not enough time for preparing a new efficient plan because of the due dates. In the production system under consideration, there is no systematic approach for sequencing jobs and this situation causes considerable set-up costs. The jobs have the same order on the machines. A heuristic algorithm to minimize the tardiness rate and the production loss caused by setup times is developed. The algorithm is coded in Microsoft Excel VBA environment.