Human aspects of scheduling : a case study

Abstract

This work presents a look at real-life production-floor scheduling, comparing and contrasting it to both normative OR theory and Cognitive Psychology theory. Relevant literature in OR, scheduling and psychology is reviewed, and gaps in theory are pointed out, calling for observation of real-life scheduling and for modeling of the cognitive processes underlying such activities. While normative theory and cognitive psychology theory suggest certain behaviors should be observed, a case study conducted with a large manufacturing company reveals real-life scheduling to be different from behavior expected by OR as well as by cognitive psychology. Future research is suggested, which may enable better modeling of human schedulers.