Use of genetic algorithms in operations management Part 1: applications

Research has been carried out to investigate the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) as a common solution technique for solving the range of problems that arise when designing and planning manufacturing operations. A variety of problem areas have been selected that are representative of the range of problem types found in manufacturing decision-making, i.e. assortment planning, aggregate planning, lot sizing within material requirements planning environments, line balancing and facilities layout. In Part 1 of this paper, for each problem area, a typical solution has been coded in terms of a GA structure, a suitable objective function has been constructed and experiments have been performed in order to identify suitable GA operators and operator parameter values. The potential suitability of GAs to solve these problem types has then been determined by comparing the best solution generated using a GA to a solution derived using a traditional solution technique. Part 2 of this paper focuses on the range of GA experiments undertaken to investigate the underlying relationships between problem characteristics and the performance of individual operator types and their parameter values.