A web-based decision support system for examination timetabling

Abstract We study exam timetabling problem (ETP) and supervisor assignment problem (SAP) of a vocational school offering associate level degrees in a university. The school has seven departments and plans almost 170 exams in each semester. We propose mixed integer programming (MIP) models for the ETP and the SAP. The optimal solution for ETP of the school is not attainable in two days with a commercial solver. We propose a decomposition method which is able to solve ETP using an open source solver in less than two minutes. The MIP models and the solution method are embedded into a web based decision support system (DSS). Using this DSS, a complete timetable can be prepared in less than two minutes by an average end-user.

[1]  Can Akkan,et al.  A bi-criteria hybrid Genetic Algorithm with robustness objective for the course timetabling problem , 2018, Comput. Oper. Res..

[2]  Hanif D. Sherali,et al.  A mixed-integer mathematical modeling approach to exam timetabling , 2010, Comput. Manag. Sci..

[3]  Zehra Kamisli Ozturk,et al.  An Automated Multi-Objective Invigilator-Exam Assignment System , 2010, Int. J. Inf. Technol. Decis. Mak..

[4]  Mehmet Güray GÜLER,et al.  A spreadsheet-based decision support system for examination timetabling , 2020 .

[5]  Alper Döyen,et al.  Examination timetabling problem with scarce resources: A case study , 2018 .

[6]  Efthymios Housos,et al.  An improved multi-staged algorithmic process for the solution of the examination timetabling problem , 2012, Ann. Oper. Res..

[7]  Peter Goos,et al.  A metaheuristic for a teaching assistant assignment-routing problem , 2012, Comput. Oper. Res..

[8]  Zehra Kamisli Ozturk,et al.  Exam scheduling: Mathematical modeling and parameter estimation with the Analytic Network Process approach , 2010, Math. Comput. Model..

[9]  Emrah B. Edis,et al.  A Two-Phase Solution Approach for a Real-Life Examination Timetabling Problem , 2019 .

[10]  Taha Arbaoui,et al.  Preprocessing and an improved MIP model for examination timetabling , 2015, Ann. Oper. Res..

[11]  Nelishia Pillay,et al.  A review of hyper-heuristics for educational timetabling , 2016, Ann. Oper. Res..

[12]  Panagiotis Miliotis,et al.  Implementation of a university course and examination timetabling system , 2001, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[13]  Jaber Karimpour,et al.  A survey of approaches for university course timetabling problem , 2015, Comput. Ind. Eng..

[14]  Fatih Çavdur,et al.  A Fuzzy Logic and Binary-Goal Programming-Based Approach for Solving the Exam Timetabling Problem to Create a Balanced-Exam Schedule , 2016, Int. J. Fuzzy Syst..

[15]  Edmund K. Burke,et al.  A new model for automated examination timetabling , 2012, Ann. Oper. Res..

[16]  Michael R. Bussieck,et al.  Term-end exam scheduling at United States Military Academy/West Point , 2010, J. Sched..

[17]  Emre Aslan,et al.  A BINARY INTEGER PROGRAMMING MODEL FOR EXAM SCHEDULING PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS , 2017 .