Practical Guidelines for Solving Difficult Mixed Integer Linear

4 Even with state-of-the-art hardware and software, mixed integer programs can require hours, 5 or even days, of run time and are not guaranteed to yield an optimal (or near-optimal, or any!) 6 solution. In this paper, we present suggestions for appropriate use of state-of-the-art optimizers 7 and guidelines for careful formulation, both of which can vastly improve performance. 8 “Problems worthy of attack prove their worth by hitting back.” 9 –Piet Hein, Grooks 1966 10 “Everybody has a plan until he gets hit in the mouth.” 11 –Mike Tyson 12