Development of an optimization scheduling algorithm to improve operations management

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Actlabs, a Canadian analytical laboratory testing company, is looking to develop systems and infrastructure to better manage its laboratory operations in response to increased demand from its customers in the mining and exploration industries. Specifically, Actlabs will team with researchers from the University of Waterloo to develop computational-based infrastructure that will improve the turnaround time on the company's many testing services. As activity grows in these highly competitive industries, Actlabs is finding it increasingly difficult to provide quality testing services on tighter and tighter timelines. Progress in this industry depends upon fast, accurate analysis and testing. The aim of this project is to develop an optimization algorithm that can efficiently schedule the testing services provided by Actlabs in its Ancaster branch. The proposed algorithm will be unique since it will be specifically designed to plan and schedule the various testing services provided by Actlabs in its Ancaster facility. That is, the proposed scheduling model will account for the services' processing times and capacities, and the rules that determine the transfer of samples between the different testing and analytical services offered at the Ancaster branch.