We present a design methodology for developing algorithm based software platforms for multi-project use with a focus on production planning and scheduling applications. The methodology leads to a partitioning and decoupling of software design activities by using abstraction and complexity hiding in a layered architecture. The abstractions are centered around high level generalizations of common problem classes in Operations Research such as packing, sequencing and grouping. Complexity hiding is achieved by using minimal information interfaces between various levels in the architecture. The resultant design separates the customer specific information from the abstract problem representations and algorithms and thereby facilitates reuse. In addition, such a separation delineates the intellectual property of the customer from that of the solution provider, an important prerequisite for reuse in a business setting.
By: Mark Trumbo, Jayant Kalagnanam, Ho Soo Lee
Published in: RC21430 in 1999
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