An agent-based system for multi-project planning and scheduling

In multi-project environment, multiple project groups share and compete for the limited resources to achieve their own goals. In order to address the dynamic requirements of multi-project production, this paper develops a multi-project planning and scheduling system using a distributed multi-agent approach. The hybrid framework of system is presented and discussed with detail. This framework consists of six types of agents facilitated with different functionalities. These generic agents are dynamically deployed and customized at each location where a project is executed. Further more, a negotiation-based multi-project planning and control mechanism is developed to coordinate these distributed agents. Through which a predictable and nearly optimal scheduling with agility and adaptability can be realized in distributed multiple projects manufacturing environment. Finally, a prototype system was implemented upon this framework, and was validated in an aerospace company.