Approximation algorithms for the parallel flow shop problem

Xiandong Zhang and Steef van de Velde

European Journal of Operational Research, 2012, vol. 216, issue 3, 544-552

Abstract: We consider the NP-hard problem of scheduling n jobs in m two-stage parallel flow shops so as to minimize the makespan. This problem decomposes into two subproblems: assigning the jobs to parallel flow shops; and scheduling the jobs assigned to the same flow shop by use of Johnson’s rule. For m=2, we present a 32-approximation algorithm, and for m=3, we present a 127-approximation algorithm. Both these algorithms run in O(nlogn) time. These are the first approximation algorithms with fixed worst-case performance guarantees for the parallel flow shop problem.

Keywords: Scheduling; Parallel flow shop; Hybrid flow shop; Approximation algorithms; Worst-case analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ejores:v:216:y:2012:i:3:p:544-552

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2011.08.007

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