Particle swarm optimization method for resource-constrained project scheduling problem

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) is introduced in the paper. The activities sequence encoded with the simple code rule by the code order is just corresponding to the project scheme fulfilling the precedence constraint, and it is convenient to calculate the start time scope (solution space) of all activities in the project. The precedence constrain of activities are processed directly by the repair strategy and the resource constrain of the project are processed indirectly by calculating the fitness value of the particle in the process of PSO evolutions, thus avoid the complex project arrangement and take advantage of the swarm characteristic of PSO to find the best particle fulfilling the optimization object in the solution space. The application to typical project shows us the validity of using PSO to solve RCPSP.