A real-time production scheduler for a stochastic manufacturing environment

This paper proposes a framework lor addressing real-time scheduling problems in a stochastic manufacturing environment. The framework, which is based on the decomposition principles of mathematical programming, includes the specification of the problem which must be solved in order to generate, monitor, and update schedules in real-time. Concurrent simulation is used as the primary analysis tool in evaluating prospective schedules. Methodologies for addressing other problems will combine techniques from operations research and artificial intelligence.