Assignment Problem: Meaning, Methods and Variations | Operations Research

what is a objective assignment problem

After reading this article you will learn about:- 1. Meaning of Assignment Problem 2. Definition of Assignment Problem 3. Mathematical Formulation 4. Hungarian Method 5. Variations.

Meaning of Assignment Problem:

An assignment problem is a particular case of transportation problem where the objective is to assign a number of resources to an equal number of activities so as to minimise total cost or maximize total profit of allocation.

The problem of assignment arises because available resources such as men, machines etc. have varying degrees of efficiency for performing different activities, therefore, cost, profit or loss of performing the different activities is different.

Thus, the problem is “How should the assignments be made so as to optimize the given objective”. Some of the problem where the assignment technique may be useful are assignment of workers to machines, salesman to different sales areas.

Definition of Assignment Problem:

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Suppose there are n jobs to be performed and n persons are available for doing these jobs. Assume that each person can do each job at a term, though with varying degree of efficiency, let c ij be the cost if the i-th person is assigned to the j-th job. The problem is to find an assignment (which job should be assigned to which person one on-one basis) So that the total cost of performing all jobs is minimum, problem of this kind are known as assignment problem.

The assignment problem can be stated in the form of n x n cost matrix C real members as given in the following table:

what is a objective assignment problem

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The assignment problem is a type of optimization problem where the goal is to assign resources to tasks in the most efficient way possible. It typically involves a cost matrix that quantifies the cost associated with each potential assignment, and the objective is to minimize the total cost or maximize the overall effectiveness of the assignments. This problem is prevalent in various fields such as logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  • The assignment problem can be solved using various methods, including the Hungarian algorithm, which efficiently finds the optimal assignment in polynomial time.
  • In its simplest form, the problem involves assigning 'n' tasks to 'n' agents while ensuring that each agent is assigned exactly one task and each task is assigned to exactly one agent.
  • The assignment problem can be extended to accommodate constraints, such as maximum capacities or minimum requirements for certain assignments.
  • Real-world applications of the assignment problem include job assignments in workforce management, matching students to schools, and routing deliveries in logistics.
  • The Hungarian algorithm not only provides an optimal solution but also runs in O(n^3) time complexity, making it suitable for moderate-sized problems.

Review Questions

  • The cost matrix serves as a foundational element in solving the assignment problem by providing a structured way to represent and quantify the costs associated with each potential resource-task pairing. Each element in this matrix indicates the cost of assigning a specific resource to a particular task. The optimization process then uses this matrix to identify the combination of assignments that results in the lowest total cost or maximizes efficiency. Understanding how to manipulate and interpret this matrix is crucial for finding optimal solutions effectively.
  • The Hungarian algorithm is specifically designed for solving linear assignment problems efficiently and offers distinct advantages over other methods such as brute force or combinatorial approaches. Unlike these methods that may involve checking every possible combination of assignments, leading to exponential time complexity, the Hungarian algorithm operates in polynomial time (O(n^3)). This efficiency makes it particularly suitable for moderate-sized problems where quick solutions are needed. Furthermore, it guarantees an optimal solution by systematically adjusting potential costs until the most effective assignments are identified.
  • Real-world scenarios such as workforce management or logistics can be effectively modeled as assignment problems by framing them in terms of resources needing to be assigned to tasks while considering associated costs. For instance, assigning delivery trucks to routes can minimize fuel costs and time while maximizing delivery efficiency. Solving these problems optimally has significant implications, including cost savings, improved service levels, and better resource utilization. Understanding how to frame real-life situations as mathematical problems allows for leveraging optimization techniques like the Hungarian algorithm to achieve tangible benefits across industries.

Related terms

Cost Matrix : A table that represents the costs associated with assigning different resources to various tasks, where each cell indicates the cost of a specific assignment.

Bipartite Graph : A graph that consists of two disjoint sets of vertices, where edges only connect vertices from one set to the other, often used to represent the relationships in assignment problems.

Optimal Solution : The best possible assignment configuration that minimizes costs or maximizes efficiency in an assignment problem, achieved through various optimization algorithms.

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  • Combinatorial Optimization
  • Logistics Management
  • Mathematical Methods for Optimization

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Introduction, section snippets, references (72), cited by (408).

Elsevier

European Journal of Operational Research

Discrete optimization assignment problems: a golden anniversary survey, the classic assignment problem, models with multiple tasks per agent, multi-dimensional assignment problems, bottleneck assignment problems under categorization, computers & operations research, multiple bottleneck assignment problem, a heuristic procedure for the crew rostering problem, vehicle routing considerations in distribution system design, quadratic assignment problems, lexicographic bottleneck problems, operations research letters, development and evaluation of an assignment heuristic for allocating cross-trained workers, a multi-level bottleneck assignment approach to the bus drivers’ rostering problem, a survey of algorithms for the generalized assignment problem, the β-assignment problems, the k -cardinality assignment problem, discrete applied mathematics, minimum deviation and balanced optimization: a unified approach, slotmanager: a microcomputer-based decision support system for university timetabling, decision support systems, on an assignment problem with side constraints, computers & industrial engineering, a variation of the assignment problem, the three-dimensional assignment problem with capacity constraints, minimum deviation problems, tabu search for the multilevel generalized assignment problem, formulating and solving production planning problems, balanced optimization problems, the bottleneck generalized assignment problem, bottleneck generalized assignment problems, engineering costs and production economics, stable solutions vs. multiplicative utility solutions for the assignment problem, using the generalized assignment problem in scheduling the rosat space telescope, computer scheduling of medical school clerkships, computers & education, an integer programming model for the allocation of databases in a distributed computer system, an algorithm for fractional assignment problems, capacity planning by the dynamic multi-resource generalized assignment problem (dmrgap), lexicographic bottleneck combinatorial problems, an optimal solution to a dock door assignment problem, linear and semi-assignment problems: a core oriented approach, solving some lexicographic multi-objective combinatorial problems, a note on the assignment problem with seniority and job priority constraints, an introduction to timetabling, heuristic and exact algorithms for the simultaneous assignment problem, a variant of time minimizing assignment problem, employees recruitment: a prescriptive analytics approach via machine learning and mathematical programming, robust nurse-to-patient assignment in home care services to minimize overtimes under continuity of care, optimization for dynamic ride-sharing: a review, simultaneous task allocation and planning for temporal logic goals in heterogeneous multi-robot systems, a distributed version of the hungarian method for multirobot assignment, a partition-based match making algorithm for dynamic ridesharing.

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Assignment problem in linear programming : introduction and assignment model.

what is a objective assignment problem

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Assignment problem is a special type of linear programming problem which deals with the allocation of the various resources to the various activities on one to one basis. It does it in such a way that the cost or time involved in the process is minimum and profit or sale is maximum. Though there problems can be solved by simplex method or by transportation method but assignment model gives a simpler approach for these problems.

In a factory, a supervisor may have six workers available and six jobs to fire. He will have to take decision regarding which job should be given to which worker. Problem forms one to one basis. This is an assignment problem.

1. Assignment Model :

Suppose there are n facilitates and n jobs it is clear that in this case, there will be n assignments. Each facility or say worker can perform each job, one at a time. But there should be certain procedure by which assignment should be made so that the profit is maximized or the cost or time is minimized.

job of Work

In the table, Co ij is defined as the cost when j th job is assigned to i th worker. It maybe noted here that this is a special case of transportation problem when the number of rows is equal to number of columns.

Mathematical Formulation:

Any basic feasible solution of an Assignment problem consists (2n – 1) variables of which the (n – 1) variables are zero, n is number of jobs or number of facilities. Due to this high degeneracy, if we solve the problem by usual transportation method, it will be a complex and time consuming work. Thus a separate technique is derived for it. Before going to the absolute method it is very important to formulate the problem.

Suppose x jj is a variable which is defined as

1 if the i th job is assigned to j th machine or facility

0 if the i th job is not assigned to j th machine or facility.

Now as the problem forms one to one basis or one job is to be assigned to one facility or machine.

Assignment Model

The total assignment cost will be given by

clip_image005

The above definition can be developed into mathematical model as follows:

Determine x ij > 0 (i, j = 1,2, 3…n) in order to

Assignment Model

Subjected to constraints

Assignment Model

and x ij is either zero or one.

Method to solve Problem (Hungarian Technique):

Consider the objective function of minimization type. Following steps are involved in solving this Assignment problem,

1. Locate the smallest cost element in each row of the given cost table starting with the first row. Now, this smallest element is subtracted form each element of that row. So, we will be getting at least one zero in each row of this new table.

2. Having constructed the table (as by step-1) take the columns of the table. Starting from first column locate the smallest cost element in each column. Now subtract this smallest element from each element of that column. Having performed the step 1 and step 2, we will be getting at least one zero in each column in the reduced cost table.

3. Now, the assignments are made for the reduced table in following manner.

(i) Rows are examined successively, until the row with exactly single (one) zero is found. Assignment is made to this single zero by putting square □ around it and in the corresponding column, all other zeros are crossed out (x) because these will not be used to make any other assignment in this column. Step is conducted for each row.

(ii) Step 3 (i) in now performed on the columns as follow:- columns are examined successively till a column with exactly one zero is found. Now , assignment is made to this single zero by putting the square around it and at the same time, all other zeros in the corresponding rows are crossed out (x) step is conducted for each column.

(iii) Step 3, (i) and 3 (ii) are repeated till all the zeros are either marked or crossed out. Now, if the number of marked zeros or the assignments made are equal to number of rows or columns, optimum solution has been achieved. There will be exactly single assignment in each or columns without any assignment. In this case, we will go to step 4.

4. At this stage, draw the minimum number of lines (horizontal and vertical) necessary to cover all zeros in the matrix obtained in step 3, Following procedure is adopted:

(iii) Now tick mark all the rows that are not already marked and that have assignment in the marked columns.

(iv) All the steps i.e. (4(i), 4(ii), 4(iii) are repeated until no more rows or columns can be marked.

(v) Now draw straight lines which pass through all the un marked rows and marked columns. It can also be noticed that in an n x n matrix, always less than ‘n’ lines will cover all the zeros if there is no solution among them.

5. In step 4, if the number of lines drawn are equal to n or the number of rows, then it is the optimum solution if not, then go to step 6.

6. Select the smallest element among all the uncovered elements. Now, this element is subtracted from all the uncovered elements and added to the element which lies at the intersection of two lines. This is the matrix for fresh assignments.

7. Repeat the procedure from step (3) until the number of assignments becomes equal to the number of rows or number of columns.

Related Articles:

  • Two Phase Methods of Problem Solving in Linear Programming: First and Second Phase
  • Linear Programming: Applications, Definitions and Problems

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Assignment Problem: Maximization

There are problems where certain facilities have to be assigned to a number of jobs, so as to maximize the overall performance of the assignment.

The Hungarian Method can also solve such assignment problems , as it is easy to obtain an equivalent minimization problem by converting every number in the matrix to an opportunity loss.

The conversion is accomplished by subtracting all the elements of the given matrix from the highest element. It turns out that minimizing opportunity loss produces the same assignment solution as the original maximization problem.

  • Unbalanced Assignment Problem
  • Multiple Optimal Solutions

Example: Maximization In An Assignment Problem

At the head office of www.universalteacherpublications.com there are five registration counters. Five persons are available for service.

Person
Counter A B C D E
1 30 37 40 28 40
2 40 24 27 21 36
3 40 32 33 30 35
4 25 38 40 36 36
5 29 62 41 34 39

How should the counters be assigned to persons so as to maximize the profit ?

Here, the highest value is 62. So we subtract each value from 62. The conversion is shown in the following table.

On small screens, scroll horizontally to view full calculation

Person
Counter A B C D E
1 32 25 22 34 22
2 22 38 35 41 26
3 22 30 29 32 27
4 37 24 22 26 26
5 33 0 21 28 23

Now the above problem can be easily solved by Hungarian method . After applying steps 1 to 3 of the Hungarian method, we get the following matrix.

Person
Counter A B C D E
1 10 3 8
2 16 13 15 4
3 8 7 6 5
4 15 2 4
5 33 21 24 23

Draw the minimum number of vertical and horizontal lines necessary to cover all the zeros in the reduced matrix.

Select the smallest element from all the uncovered elements, i.e., 4. Subtract this element from all the uncovered elements and add it to the elements, which lie at the intersection of two lines. Thus, we obtain another reduced matrix for fresh assignment. Repeating step 3, we obtain a solution which is shown in the following table.

Final Table: Maximization Problem

Use Horizontal Scrollbar to View Full Table Calculation

Person
Counter A B C D E
1 14 3 8
2 12 9 11
3 4 3 2 1
4 19 2 4
5 37 21 24 23

The total cost of assignment = 1C + 2E + 3A + 4D + 5B

Substituting values from original table: 40 + 36 + 40 + 36 + 62 = 214.

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An Assignment Problem and Its Application in Education Domain: A Review and Potential Path

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A Davidson College multi-objective assignment problem: a case study

  • Published: 22 April 2014
  • Volume 12 , pages 379–401, ( 2014 )

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what is a objective assignment problem

  • Timothy P. Chartier 1 ,
  • Victoria Ellison 2 &
  • Amy N. Langville 3  

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This paper presents a multi-objective linear integer program that assigns student volunteers to present lectures at participating classes in local schools. A student’s class assignment is based upon his or her availability to teach at that time as well as several additional factors including student preferences regarding commuting and partners as well as the institution’s goal of creating diverse student groups. This case study shows that the proposed mathematical program dramatically improves the assignments of students to classes and provides increased flexibility for modeling other goals and factors in future years. In addition, this multi-phase model can be applied in other contexts, such as crew scheduling or the scheduling of parallel sessions of large conferences.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to DASH Optimization for their Xpress-MP software, which was supplied through their generous Academic Partner Program.

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Timothy P. Chartier

Operations Research Program, N. C. State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8205, USA

Victoria Ellison

Department of Mathematics, College of Charleston, 175 Calhoun Street-RSS 339, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

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Correspondence to Amy N. Langville .

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This research was supported in part by a research fellowship from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation [T.C.P] and an NSF grant CISE-CCF-AF-1116963 [A.N.L].

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Chartier, T.P., Ellison, V. & Langville, A.N. A Davidson College multi-objective assignment problem: a case study. 4OR-Q J Oper Res 12 , 379–401 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10288-014-0259-2

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  • How to Write a Problem Statement | Guide & Examples

How to Write a Problem Statement | Guide & Examples

Published on November 6, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 20, 2023.

A problem statement is a concise and concrete summary of the research problem you seek to address. It should:

  • Contextualize the problem. What do we already know?
  • Describe the exact issue your research will address. What do we still need to know?
  • Show the relevance of the problem. Why do we need to know more about this?
  • Set the objectives of the research. What will you do to find out more?

Table of contents

When should you write a problem statement, step 1: contextualize the problem, step 2: show why it matters, step 3: set your aims and objectives.

Problem statement example

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Frequently asked questions about problem statements.

There are various situations in which you might have to write a problem statement.

In the business world, writing a problem statement is often the first step in kicking off an improvement project. In this case, the problem statement is usually a stand-alone document.

In academic research, writing a problem statement can help you contextualize and understand the significance of your research problem. It is often several paragraphs long, and serves as the basis for your research proposal . Alternatively, it can be condensed into just a few sentences in your introduction .

A problem statement looks different depending on whether you’re dealing with a practical, real-world problem or a theoretical issue. Regardless, all problem statements follow a similar process.

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The problem statement should frame your research problem, giving some background on what is already known.

Practical research problems

For practical research, focus on the concrete details of the situation:

  • Where and when does the problem arise?
  • Who does the problem affect?
  • What attempts have been made to solve the problem?

Theoretical research problems

For theoretical research, think about the scientific, social, geographical and/or historical background:

  • What is already known about the problem?
  • Is the problem limited to a certain time period or geographical area?
  • How has the problem been defined and debated in the scholarly literature?

The problem statement should also address the relevance of the research. Why is it important that the problem is addressed?

Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to do something groundbreaking or world-changing. It’s more important that the problem is researchable, feasible, and clearly addresses a relevant issue in your field.

Practical research is directly relevant to a specific problem that affects an organization, institution, social group, or society more broadly. To make it clear why your research problem matters, you can ask yourself:

  • What will happen if the problem is not solved?
  • Who will feel the consequences?
  • Does the problem have wider relevance? Are similar issues found in other contexts?

Sometimes theoretical issues have clear practical consequences, but sometimes their relevance is less immediately obvious. To identify why the problem matters, ask:

  • How will resolving the problem advance understanding of the topic?
  • What benefits will it have for future research?
  • Does the problem have direct or indirect consequences for society?

Finally, the problem statement should frame how you intend to address the problem. Your goal here should not be to find a conclusive solution, but rather to propose more effective approaches to tackling or understanding it.

The research aim is the overall purpose of your research. It is generally written in the infinitive form:

  • The aim of this study is to determine …
  • This project aims to explore …
  • This research aims to investigate …

The research objectives are the concrete steps you will take to achieve the aim:

  • Qualitative methods will be used to identify …
  • This work will use surveys to collect …
  • Using statistical analysis, the research will measure …

The aims and objectives should lead directly to your research questions.

Learn how to formulate research questions

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You can use these steps to write your own problem statement, like the example below.

Step 1: Contextualize the problem A family-owned shoe manufacturer has been in business in New England for several generations, employing thousands of local workers in a variety of roles, from assembly to supply-chain to customer service and retail. Employee tenure in the past always had an upward trend, with the average employee staying at the company for 10+ years. However, in the past decade, the trend has reversed, with some employees lasting only a few months, and others leaving abruptly after many years.

Step 2: Show why it matters As the perceived loyalty of their employees has long been a source of pride for the company, they employed an outside consultant firm to see why there was so much turnover. The firm focused on the new hires, concluding that a rival shoe company located in the next town offered higher hourly wages and better “perks”, such as pizza parties. They claimed this was what was leading employees to switch. However, to gain a fuller understanding of why the turnover persists even after the consultant study, in-depth qualitative research focused on long-term employees is also needed. Focusing on why established workers leave can help develop a more telling reason why turnover is so high, rather than just due to salaries. It can also potentially identify points of change or conflict in the company’s culture that may cause workers to leave.

Step 3: Set your aims and objectives This project aims to better understand why established workers choose to leave the company. Qualitative methods such as surveys and interviews will be conducted comparing the views of those who have worked 10+ years at the company and chose to stay, compared with those who chose to leave.

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

  • Sampling methods
  • Simple random sampling
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  • Cluster sampling
  • Likert scales
  • Reproducibility

 Statistics

  • Null hypothesis
  • Statistical power
  • Probability distribution
  • Effect size
  • Poisson distribution

Research bias

  • Optimism bias
  • Cognitive bias
  • Implicit bias
  • Hawthorne effect
  • Anchoring bias
  • Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

All research questions should be:

  • Focused on a single problem or issue
  • Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
  • Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
  • Specific enough to answer thoroughly
  • Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
  • Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

Writing Strong Research Questions

Research objectives describe what you intend your research project to accomplish.

They summarize the approach and purpose of the project and help to focus your research.

Your objectives should appear in the introduction of your research paper , at the end of your problem statement .

Your research objectives indicate how you’ll try to address your research problem and should be specific:

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April 16, 2013 - September 27, 2024

  • Volume 72, Issue 5 September-October 2024 CURRENT ISSUE Pages iii-vii, 1751-2261, C2-C3
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A Target-Assignment Problem

Alan S. Manne

Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

Search for more papers by this author

This paper is concerned with a target assignment model of a probabilistic and nonlinear nature, but nevertheless one which is closely related to the “personnel-assignment” problem. It is shown here that, despite the apparent nonlinearities, it is possible to devise a linear programming formulation that will ordinarily provide a close approximation to the original problem.

Information

  • A comprehensive survey of weapon target assignment problem: Model, algorithm, and application Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 137
  • Naval Air Defense Planning problem: A novel formulation and heuristics 4 April 2024 | Naval Research Logistics (NRL), Vol. 71, No. 7
  • Efficient Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search for Sensor–Weapon–Target Assignment IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, Vol. 54, No. 10
  • Adaptive evolutionary algorithm for air defense resource allocation optimization 5 September 2024 | SCIENTIA SINICA Technologica, Vol. 54, No. 9
  • Current development and future prospects of multi-target assignment problem: A bibliometric analysis review Defence Technology, Vol. 160
  • Dynamic soft-kill weapon-target assignment in naval environments Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 55
  • Multi-Agent Cross-Domain Collaborative Task Allocation Problem Based on Multi-Strategy Improved Dung Beetle Optimization Algorithm 15 August 2024 | Applied Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 16
  • Dynamic Target Assignment by Unmanned Surface Vehicles Based on Reinforcement Learning 19 August 2024 | Mathematics, Vol. 12, No. 16
  • A new optimal weapon target assignment method using an artificial fish swarm algorithm with survival evolution 22 July 2024 | Engineering Computations, Vol. 6
  • A Study on the Weapon–Target Assignment Problem Considering Heading Error 27 March 2024 | International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Vol. 25, No. 3
  • Distributed Neighborhood Search Algorithm for Target Assignment
  • Dynamic Gaussian Mutation Beetle Swarm Optimization Method for Large-Scale Weapon Target Assignment Problems Applied Soft Computing, Vol. 52.7
  • Fuzzy knowledge based intelligent decision support system for ground based air defence 5 March 2024 | Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, Vol. 15, No. 4
  • Solving multi-objective weapon-target assignment considering reliability by improved MOEA/D-AM2M Neurocomputing, Vol. 563
  • Research on Multi-UAV Target Allocation Based on Improved Auction Algorithm 5 January 2024
  • Anti-missile Firepower Allocation Based on Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning 26 April 2024
  • Bi-objective Multi-stage Weapon Target Assignment Problem with Limited Ammunition
  • A Reinforcement Learning Method for the Weapon Target Assignment Problem with Unknown Hit Rate
  • A quantum algorithm for solving weapon target assignment problem Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 125
  • Time-Efficient Weapon-Target Assignment by Actor-Critic Reinforcement
  • Evaluation Model and Exact Optimization Algorithm in Missile–Target Assignment Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 46, No. 9
  • Dynamic Weapon Target Assignment Based on Deep Q Network
  • Optimization of Anti-Air Defense Missile System Based on Kill Chain
  • Adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm for multi-stage weapon target assignment problem Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 181
  • Weapon-Target Assignment and Firing Scheduling for Rapid Engagement with Heterogeneous Interceptors 24 February 2023 | International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Vol. 24, No. 3
  • Modeling The Weapon-target Allocation In Ground-Air Defense Based on Incomplete Information Dynamic Game
  • Decentralized Weapon–Target Assignment Under Asynchronous Communications Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 46, No. 2
  • Dynamic Weapon-Target Assignment for Active Protection of Aircraft 29 July 2022
  • Weapon-Target Assignment Strategy in Joint Combat Decision-Making Based on Multi-Head Deep Reinforcement Learning IEEE Access, Vol. 11
  • A Time-Driven Dynamic Weapon Target Assignment Method IEEE Access, Vol. 11
  • Multi-Modal Honey Bee Foraging Optimizer for Weapon Target Assignment Problem 8 July 2023
  • Correlation Filter of Multiple Candidates Match for Anti-Obscure Tracking in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Scenario 28 December 2022 | Mathematics, Vol. 11, No. 1
  • Weapon Target Assignment Model for Small Unit Ground Combat Using Mixed Integer Nonlinear Program and Lagrangian Relaxation Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Vol. 2022
  • Large-Scale Weapon Target Assignment Based on Improved MOEA/D Algorithm
  • Coevolution with Danger Zone Levels Strategy for the Weapon Target Assignment Problem
  • Value Based Analysis of a Counter UAS Problem
  • Opposition-based Memetic Algorithm for the Shared Weapon Target Assignment Problem
  • Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm Applied to Multi-stage Weapon Target Assignment
  • Bi-Level Fuzzy Expectation-Based Dynamic Anti-Missile Weapon Target Allocation in Rolling Horizons 23 September 2022 | Electronics, Vol. 11, No. 19
  • Target Assignment Algorithm for Joint Air Defense Operation Based on Spatial Crowdsourcing Mode 3 June 2022 | Electronics, Vol. 11, No. 11
  • iTSA: an improved Tunicate Swarm Algorithm for defensive resource assignment problem 28 March 2022 | Soft Computing, Vol. 26, No. 10
  • Weapon-target assignment problem: exact and approximate solution algorithms 13 January 2022 | Annals of Operations Research, Vol. 312, No. 2
  • The Weapon Target Assignment Problem: Rational Inference of Adversary Target Utility Valuations from Observed Solutions Omega, Vol. 107
  • Uncertain multi-objective dynamic weapon-target allocation problem based on uncertainty theory AIMS Mathematics, Vol. 8, No. 3
  • New Weapon Target Assignment Algorithms for Multiple Targets Using a Rotational Strategy and Clustering Approach IEEE Access, Vol. 10
  • Two-stage hybrid heuristic search algorithm for novel weapon target assignment problems Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 162
  • Weapon-Target Assignment Problem Using Modified Water Wave Optimization Algorithm Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Vol. 2068, No. 1
  • Evolving model for synchronous weapon target assignment problem
  • A Survey on Weapon Target Allocation Models and Applications 25 August 2021
  • A multi-objective approach for dynamic missile allocation using artificial neural networks for time sensitive decisions 9 June 2021 | Soft Computing, Vol. 25, No. 15
  • A multi-objective sparse evolutionary framework for large-scale weapon target assignment based on a reward strategy Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, Vol. 40, No. 5
  • Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Model by Linear Approximation for a Strike Package-to-Target Assignment Problem Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Vol. 2021
  • Meta-heuristic algorithms for resource Management in Crisis Based on OWA approach 24 August 2020 | Applied Intelligence, Vol. 51, No. 2
  • A Coordinated Air Defense Learning System Based on Immunized Classifier Systems 5 February 2021 | Symmetry, Vol. 13, No. 2
  • Weapon Target Assignment 7 January 2021
  • Solving bi-objective uncertain stochastic resource allocation problems by the CVaR-based risk measure and decomposition-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithms 26 October 2019 | Annals of Operations Research, Vol. 296, No. 1-2
  • A Modified MOEA/D Algorithm for Solving Bi-Objective Multi-Stage Weapon-Target Assignment Problem IEEE Access, Vol. 9
  • A new exact algorithm for the Weapon-Target Assignment problem Omega, Vol. 98
  • A heuristic and metaheuristic approach to the static weapon target assignment problem 14 August 2020 | Journal of Global Optimization, Vol. 78, No. 4
  • Autonomous Target Allocation Recommendations
  • A dynamic weapon target assignment based on receding horizon strategy by heuristic algorithm Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Vol. 1651, No. 1
  • Research on Dynamic Weapon Target Assignment Based on Cross-Entropy Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Vol. 2020
  • Efficient Decision Approaches for Asset-Based Dynamic Weapon Target Assignment by a Receding Horizon and Marginal Return Heuristic 15 September 2020 | Electronics, Vol. 9, No. 9
  • Solving Multi-Stage Weapon Target Assignment Problems by C-TAEA
  • An approximate dynamic programming approach for comparing firing policies in a networked air defense environment Computers & Operations Research, Vol. 117
  • Swarm Intelligence Algorithms for Weapon-Target Assignment in a Multilayer Defense Scenario: A Comparative Study 17 May 2020 | Symmetry, Vol. 12, No. 5
  • A bi-objective dynamic collaborative task assignment under uncertainty using modified MOEA/D with heuristic initialization Expert Systems with Applications, Vol. 140
  • Mission-Oriented Scheme Generation Method for Weapon System of Systems IEEE Access, Vol. 8
  • Deep Learning for Bipartite Assignment Problems *
  • Bi‐objective missile rescheduling for a naval task group with dynamic disruptions 4 September 2019 | Naval Research Logistics (NRL), Vol. 66, No. 7
  • Simplified swarm optimization with initialization scheme for dynamic weapon–target​ assignment problem Applied Soft Computing, Vol. 82
  • Iterated Local Search in Combinatorial Optimization Problem 5 August 2019 | International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology
  • Robust Optimization Approach Using Scenario Concepts for Artillery Firing Scheduling Under Uncertainty 14 July 2019 | Applied Sciences, Vol. 9, No. 14
  • Real-time heuristic algorithms for the static weapon target assignment problem 29 November 2018 | Journal of Heuristics, Vol. 25, No. 3
  • The Weapon-Target Assignment Problem Computers & Operations Research, Vol. 105
  • Exact Algorithm for the Weapon Target Assignment and Fire Scheduling Problem Journal of Society of Korea Industrial and Systems Engineering, Vol. 42, No. 1
  • Multi-Objective Weapon Target Assignment Based on D-NSGA-III-A IEEE Access, Vol. 7
  • Adaptive Weapon-to-Target Assignment Model Based on the Real-Time Prediction of Hit Probability IEEE Access, Vol. 7
  • Constrained Multi-Objective Weapon Target Assignment for Area Targets by Efficient Evolutionary Algorithm IEEE Access, Vol. 7
  • A Hybrid Discrete Grey Wolf Optimizer to Solve Weapon Target Assignment Problems Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Vol. 2018
  • A robust optimization approach for an artillery fire-scheduling problem under uncertain threat Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 125
  • Weapon–Target Assignment Algorithm for Simultaneous and Sequenced Arrival Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 41, No. 11
  • Distributed MMAS for weapon target assignment based on Spark framework Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, Vol. 35, No. 3
  • An Improved Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III Method for Solving Multiobjective Weapon-Target Assignment Part I: The Value of Fighter Combat International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Vol. 2018
  • A Greedy Ant Colony System for Defensive Resource Assignment Problems 26 March 2018 | Applied Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 32, No. 2
  • Weapon‐Target Assignment Problem by Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Decomposition 23 October 2018 | Complexity, Vol. 2018, No. 1
  • Solving Dynamic Multi-Criteria Resource-Target Allocation Problem Under Uncertainty: A Comparison of Decomposition and Myopic Approaches 15 November 2017 | International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making, Vol. 16, No. 06
  • Deterministic and Robust Optimization Approach for Single Artillery Unit Fire Scheduling Problem 11 October 2017 | Applied Sciences, Vol. 7, No. 10
  • Approximate dynamic programming for missile defense interceptor fire control European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 259, No. 3
  • A Modified Pareto Ant Colony Optimization Approach to Solve Biobjective Weapon-Target Assignment Problem International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Vol. 2017
  • Monotone Optimal Threshold Feedback Policy for Sequential Weapon Target Assignment Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, Vol. 14, No. 1
  • Decentralized Cooperative Control Methods for the Modified Weapon–Target Assignment Problem Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 39, No. 9
  • Chan Y. Han ,
  • Brian J. Lunday ,
  • Matthew J. Robbins
  • A hybrid discrete differential evolution algorithm for stochastic resource allocation
  • Scalable Cooperative Control Algorithms For the Weapon Target Assignment Problem 1 January 2016
  • Optimal Threshold Policy for Sequential Weapon Target Assignment IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 49, No. 17
  • An optimal assignment of multi-type weapons to single-target
  • Threat Plane Method for Developing Operational Rules of an Autonomous Anti-Air Defense System on a Warship against Multiple Attacking Missiles 3 January 2015
  • Expert judgments in the cost-effectiveness analysis of resource allocations: a case study in military planning 23 April 2013 | OR Spectrum, Vol. 36, No. 1
  • Approximating the optimal mapping for weapon target assignment by fuzzy reasoning Information Sciences, Vol. 255
  • Optimization of Weapon–Target Pairings Based on Kill Probabilities IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, Vol. 43, No. 6
  • Weapon tradeoff analysis using dynamic programming for a dynamic weapon target assignment problem within a simulation
  • Competitive Evolution of Tactical Multiswarm Dynamics IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, Vol. 43, No. 3
  • A Hierarchical Fuzzy Decision Maker for the Weapon Target Assignment IFAC Proceedings Volumes, Vol. 44, No. 1
  • Network flow approaches for an asset-task assignment problem with execution uncertainty 18 August 2010
  • Fire scheduling for planned artillery attack operations under time-dependent destruction probabilities Omega, Vol. 38, No. 5
  • A study on the universal access to vaccines in Brazil Pesquisa Operacional, Vol. 29, No. 3
  • Efficient Heuristic Approach to the Weapon-Target Assignment Problem Journal of Aerospace Computing, Information, and Communication, Vol. 6, No. 6
  • Novel Goal-Based Weapon Target Assignment Doctrine Journal of Aerospace Computing, Information, and Communication, Vol. 6, No. 1
  • Ravindra K. Ahuja ,
  • Arvind Kumar ,
  • Krishna C. Jha ,
  • James B. Orlin ,
  • Real-Time Optimal Mission Scheduling and Flight Path Selection IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, Vol. 52, No. 6
  • Use of Conditional Value-at-Risk in Stochastic Programs with Poorly Defined Distributions
  • Robust Decision Making: Addressing Uncertainties in Distributions
  • Exact and Heuristic Methods for the Weapon Target Assignment Problem SSRN Electronic Journal
  • An Approximate Algorithm For A Weapon Target Assignment Stochastic Program
  • Target-Based Weapon Target Assignment Problems
  • Lagrangian relaxation approach to the targeting problem Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 46, No. 6
  • Targeting and scheduling problem for field artillery Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 33, No. 3-4
  • Chapter 1 Applications of network optimization
  • Reliability apportionment/allocation: A survey Microelectronics Reliability, Vol. 26, No. 6
  • Die Simultansuche
  • Modeling and Implementation of Risk-Averse Preferences in Stochastic Programs Using Risk Measures
  • Real-Time Optimal Time-Critical Target Assignment for UAVs
  • Analysis of a maximum marginal return assignment algorithm
  • Recent Developments in Linear Programming
  • An approximating algorithm for an optimum aim-points problem Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, Vol. 7, No. 2

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Volume 6, Issue 3

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  • Published Online: June 01, 1958

© 1958 INFORMS

The objective of an assignment problem is to assign ______. - Mathematics and Statistics

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The objective of an assignment problem is to assign ______.

Number of jobs to equal number of persons at maximum cost.

Number of jobs to equal number of persons at minimum cost

Only the maximize cost

Only to minimize cost

Solution Show Solution

The objective of an assignment problem is to assign number of jobs to equal number of persons at minimum cost .

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  • Assignment Problem video tutorial 00:20:25

RELATED QUESTIONS

A job production unit has four jobs A, B, C, D which can be manufactured on each of the four machines P, Q, R and S. The processing cost of each job is given in the following table:

         Jobs

 

 

                          Machines

P

Q

R

S

                Processing Cost (Rs.)

 

A

31

25

33

29

B

25

24

23

21

C

19

21

23

24

D

38

36

34

40

 How should the jobs be assigned to the four machines so that the total processing cost is minimum?

Suggest optimum solution to the following assignment. Problem, also find the total minimum service time.                                              Service Time ( in hrs.)

41 72 39 52
22 29 49 65
27 39 60 51
45 50 48 52

Solve the following maximal assignment problem :

11 11 9 9
13 16 11 10
12 17 13 8
16 14 16 12

A departmental head has three jobs and four subordinates. The subordinates differ in their capabilities and the jobs differ in their work contents. With the help of the performance matrix given below, find out which of the four subordinates should be assigned which jobs ?

Subordinates Jobs
I II III
A 7 3 5
B 2 7 4
C 6 5 3
D 3 4 7

In a factory there are six jobs to be performed each of which should go through two machines A and B in the order A - B. The processing timing (in hours) for the jobs arc given here. You are required to determine the sequence for performing the jobs that would minimize the total elapsed time T. What is the value of T? Also find the idle time for machines · A and B.

Jobs J J J J J J
Machine A 1 3 8 5 6 3
MAchine B 5 6 3 2 2 10

Five wagons are available at stations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. These are required at 5 stations I, II, III, IV, and V. The mileage between various stations are given in the table below. How should the wagons be transported so as to minimize the mileage covered?

 
10 5 9 18 11
13 9 6 12 14
3 2 4 4 5
18 9 12 17 15
11 6 14 19 10

Fill in the blank :

When an assignment problem has more than one solution, then it is _______ optimal solution.

In an assignment problem, if number of column is greater than number of rows, then a dummy column is added.

State whether the following is True or False :

It is not necessary to express an assignment problem into n x n matrix.

Solve the following problem :

A plant manager has four subordinates, and four tasks to be performed. The subordinates differ in efficiency and the tasks differ in their intrinsic difficulty. This estimate of the time each man would take to perform each task is given in the effectiveness matrix below.

 
7 25 26 10
12 27 3 25
37 18 17 14
18 25 23 9

How should the tasks be allocated, one to a man, as to minimize the total man hours?

A dairy plant has five milk tankers, I, II, III, IV and V. These milk tankers are to be used on five delivery routes A, B, C, D and E. The distances (in kms) between the dairy plant and the delivery routes are given in the following distance matrix.

 
150 120 175 180 200
125 110 120 150 165
130 100 145 160 175
40 40 70 70 100
45 25 60 70 95

How should the milk tankers be assigned to the chilling center so as to minimize the distance travelled?

Choose the correct alternative:

The assignment problem is generally defined as a problem of ______

The assignment problem is said to be balanced if ______

If the given matrix is ______ matrix, the assignment problem is called balanced problem

State whether the following statement is True or False:

The objective of an assignment problem is to assign number of jobs to equal number of persons at maximum cost

In assignment problem, if number of columns is greater than number of rows, then a dummy row is added

Three jobs A, B and C one to be assigned to three machines U, V and W. The processing cost for each job machine combination is shown in the matrix given below. Determine the allocation that minimizes the overall processing cost.

    Machine
    U V W
Jobs A 17 25 31
B 10 25 16
C 12 14 11

(cost is in ₹ per unit)

A departmental head has four subordinates and four tasks to be performed. The subordinates differ in efficiency and the tasks differ in their intrinsic difficulty. His estimates of the time each man would take to perform each task is given below:

    Tasks
    1 2 3 4
Subordinates P 8 26 17 11
  Q 13 28 4 26
  R 38 19 18 15
  S 9 26 24 10

How should the tasks be allocated to subordinates so as to minimize the total manhours?

Find the optimal solution for the assignment problem with the following cost matrix.

    Area
    1 2 3 4
  P 11 17 8 16
Salesman Q 9 7 12 6
  R 13 16 15 12
  S 14 10 12 11

Assign four trucks 1, 2, 3 and 4 to vacant spaces A, B, C, D, E and F so that distance travelled is minimized. The matrix below shows the distance.

  1 2 3 4
A 4 7 3 7
B 8 2 5 5
C 4 9 6 9
D 7 5 4 8
E 6 3 5 4
F 6 8 7 3

Number of basic allocation in any row or column in an assignment problem can be

North – West Corner refers to ______

In an assignment problem involving four workers and three jobs, total number of assignments possible are

A car hire company has one car at each of five depots a, b, c, d and e. A customer in each of the fine towers A, B, C, D and E requires a car. The distance (in miles) between the depots (origins) and the towers(destinations) where the customers are given in the following distance matrix.

  a b c d e
A 160 130 175 190 200
B 135 120 130 160 175
C 140 110 155 170 185
D 50 50 80 80 110
E 55 35 70 80 105

How should the cars be assigned to the customers so as to minimize the distance travelled?

A natural truck-rental service has a surplus of one truck in each of the cities 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and a deficit of one truck in each of the cities 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. The distance(in kilometers) between the cities with a surplus and the cities with a deficit are displayed below:

    To
    7 8 9 10 11 12
From 1 31 62 29 42 15 41
2 12 19 39 55 71 40
3 17 29 50 41 22 22
4 35 40 38 42 27 33
5 19 30 29 16 20 33
6 72 30 30 50 41 20

How should the truck be dispersed so as to minimize the total distance travelled?

A dairy plant has five milk tankers, I, II, III, IV and V. Three milk tankers are to be used on five delivery routes A, B, C, D and E. The distances (in kms) between the dairy plant and the delivery routes are given in the following distance matrix.

 
150 120 175 180 200
125 110 120 150 165
130 100 145 160 170
40 40 70 70 100
45 25 60 70 95

A job production unit has four jobs P, Q, R, and S which can be manufactured on each of the four machines I, II, III, and IV. The processing cost of each job for each machine is given in the following table:


P 31 25 33 29
Q 25 24 23 21
R 19 21 23 24
S 38 36 34 40

Find the optimal assignment to minimize the total processing cost.

A department store has four workers to pack goods. The times (in minutes) required for each worker to complete the packings per item sold is given below. How should the manager of the store assign the jobs to the workers, so as to minimize the total time of packing?

  Books Toys Crockery Cutlery
3 11 10 8
13 2 12 12
3 4 6 1
4 15 4 9

Five wagons are available at stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. These are required at 5 stations I, II, III, IV and V. The mileage between various stations are given in the table below. How should the wagons be transported so as to minimize the mileage covered?

 
10 5 9 18 11
13 9 6 12 14
7 2 4 4 5
18 9 12 17 15
11 6 14 19 10

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COMMENTS

  1. Assignment problem

    The assignment problem is a fundamental combinatorial optimization problem. In its most general form, the problem is as follows: The problem instance has a number of agents and a number of tasks. Any agent can be assigned to perform any task, incurring some cost that may vary depending on the agent-task assignment.

  2. Assignment Problem: Meaning, Methods and Variations

    After reading this article you will learn about:- 1. Meaning of Assignment Problem 2. Definition of Assignment Problem 3. Mathematical Formulation 4. Hungarian Method 5. Variations. Meaning of Assignment Problem: An assignment problem is a particular case of transportation problem where the objective is to assign a number of resources to an equal number of activities so as to minimise total ...

  3. PDF Unit 4: ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM

    The assignment problem is a special case of transportation problem in which the objective is to assign 'm' jobs or workers to 'n' machines such that the cost incurred is minimized. JOBS 1 2 ----- n 1 2 -- WORKERS -- -- n The element Cij represents the cost of assigning worker I to job (I,j= 1,2,---n).

  4. The Assignment Problem

    In an assignment problem, we must find a maximum matching that has the minimum weight in a weighted bipartite graph. The Assignment problem. Problem description: 3 men apply for ... Value of objective function: 15.00 Actual values of the variables: x11 ...

  5. What is Assignment Problem

    Assignment Problem is a special type of linear programming problem where the objective is to minimise the cost or time of completing a number of jobs by a number of persons. The assignment problem in the general form can be stated as follows: "Given n facilities, n jobs and the effectiveness of each facility for each job, the problem is to ...

  6. Assignment Problem

    The assignment problem is a type of optimization problem where the goal is to assign resources to tasks in the most efficient way possible. It typically involves a cost matrix that quantifies the cost associated with each potential assignment, and the objective is to minimize the total cost or maximize the overall effectiveness of the assignments.

  7. An Assignment Problem and Its Application in Education Domain: A Review

    Within the education domain, this review classified the assignment problem into two: timetabling problem and allocation problem. Assignment problem refers to the analysis on how to assign n objects to m objects in the best possible way (optimal way) [2, 3]. The two components of assignment problem are the assignments and the objective function.

  8. Assignment Problem

    The problem of optimally assigning m individuals to m jobs, so that each individual is assigned to one job, and each job is filled by one individual. The problem can be formulated as a linear-programming problem with the objective function measuring the (linear) utility of the assignment as follows:

  9. Assignment problems: A golden anniversary survey

    The balanced assignment problem, described in Martello et al. [47], attempts to recognize both objectives by minimizing the difference between the maximum and minimum assignment values. One example given is an American travel agency planning a program of trips to Europe with all the travelers, each of whom will take one of the trips, going and ...

  10. PDF UNIT -2 Chapter: II ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM

    UNIT -2. r: IIASSIGNMENT PROBLEMIntroduction:Assignment Problem is a special type of linear programming problem where the objective is to minimise the cost or time of completing a. number of jobs by a number of persons. The assignment problem in the general form can be stated as follows: "Given n facilities, n jobs and the effectiveness of ...

  11. Assignment Problem, Linear Programming

    The assignment problem is a special type of transportation problem, where the objective is to minimize the cost or time of completing a number of jobs by a number of persons.. In other words, when the problem involves the allocation of n different facilities to n different tasks, it is often termed as an assignment problem.

  12. Assignment Problem in Linear Programming : Introduction and Assignment

    Assignment problem is a special type of linear programming problem which deals with the allocation of the various resources to the various activities on one to one basis. It does it in such a way that the cost or time involved in the process is minimum and profit or sale is maximum. ... Consider the objective function of minimization type ...

  13. Assignment Problem, Maximization Example, Hungarian Method

    Assignment Problem: Maximization There are problems where certain facilities have to be assigned to a number of jobs, so as to maximize the overall performance of the assignment. The Hungarian Method can also solve such assignment problems , as it is easy to obtain an equivalent minimization problem by converting every number in the matrix to ...

  14. PDF ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM

    An assignment problem is a particular case of transportation problem. The objective is to assign a number of resources to an equal number of activities . So as to minimize total cost or maximize total pro t of allocation. The problem of assignment arises because available resources such as

  15. A Mixed Objective Assignment Problem

    A general assignment problem includes N tasks that intend assign to N workers to what place each laborer has the sufficiency to do all tasks. The objective is to confront the optimum assignment of a number of tasks (jobs) to an enlarge number of services (or persons) at a minimum cost. In this freebie the objectives are proposed as mixed ...

  16. (PDF) An Assignment Problem and Its Application in ...

    Assignment problem arises in diverse situations, where one needs to determine an optimal way to assign n subjects to m subjects in the best possible way. ... In fact, the main objective of this ...

  17. PDF A Davidson College multi-objective assignment problem: a ...

    A Davidson College multi-objective assignment problem 381 Fig. 1 Standard assignment problem (left) with a final assignment highlighted versus a final assignment for our problem (right), which must make assignments and also cluster students by availability, time andpartner preferences, vehicle access, and diversity 2. What times would you prefer to teach and commute to and from the local middle

  18. How to Write a Problem Statement

    Step 3: Set your aims and objectives. Finally, the problem statement should frame how you intend to address the problem. Your goal here should not be to find a conclusive solution, but rather to propose more effective approaches to tackling or understanding it. The research aim is the overall purpose of your research.

  19. PDF Solving The Assignment Problems Directly Without Any Iterations

    The assignment problem is a standard topic discussed in operations research textbooks [8] and [10]. It is an important subject, put forward immediately after the transportation problem, is the assignment problem. This is particularly important in the theory of decision making. The assignment problem is one of the earliest

  20. A Target-Assignment Problem

    Abstract. This paper is concerned with a target assignment model of a probabilistic and nonlinear nature, but nevertheless one which is closely related to the "personnel-assignment" problem. It is shown here that, despite the apparent nonlinearities, it is possible to devise a linear programming formulation that will ordinarily provide a ...

  21. The objective of an assignment problem is to assign

    The objective of an assignment problem is to assign number of jobs to equal number of persons at maximum cost. State whether the following statement is True or False: In assignment problem, if number of columns is greater than number of rows, then a dummy row is added. What is the Assignment problem? Give mathematical form of Assignment problem