Identify and Solve a Typical Problem There are a number of typical models in the Operations Research fi eld which can be applied to a wide range of

Assessment 2 (Individual Assignment)

Step 1: Identify and Solve a Typical Problem

There are a number of typical models in the Operations Research fi eld which can be applied to a wide range of

supply chain problems. Select one of the following typical models:

• Travelling Salesperson Problem (TSP)

• Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem (mTSP)

• Knapsack Problem

• Vehicle Routing Problems (VRP)

• Job Shop Scheduling

• Parallel Machine Scheduling

• Christmas lunch problem

• Newsvendor problem

• Pickup and delivery

• Travelling thief problem

• Eight queens problem

• Minimum Spanning Tree

• Hamiltonian path problem

1.1. Background:

• Provide a detailed explanation of the selected problem.

1.2. Model

• Provide typical mathematical model of the selected problem and clearly explain diff erent aspects of the

model (e.g. decision variable, objective function, constraints, etc.)

1.3. Solving an Example

• Develop a mathematical model for a workable and reasonable size of the problem.

– For many typical problems, when size of the problem increases, it becomes NP-Hard. In other words,

your computer will not be able to solve it mathematically. Therefore, ‘workable and reasonable size’

here means that size of the selected problem should not be too small or too large.

• Solve the problem in Excel and transfer your solution to Word. It is required that details and steps of

getting the solution are provided in the Word document.

• Interpret the fi ndings and discuss.

Step 2: LR on Application of Selected Typical Model in Design and Analysis of Supply Chain

• Identify at least 5 peer reviewed articles in which your selected typical problem has been employed to

address knowledge gaps in supply chain fi eld.

– At least one of the selected articles should be published after 2010.

• Write a comprehensive literature review on the application of “your selected” typical model in design and

analysis of supply chain and address the following (but not limited to) points:

– What type of problems in supply chain can be addressed by the selected typical problem?

– Compare similarities and diff erences of selected articles.

– Discuss the suitability of using the selected typical model in design/analysis of various supply chains.

– What are the limitations of your selected typical problem?

– Undertaking any additional critical and/or content analysis on the application of selected typical

problem in design and analysis of supply chain is highly recommended.

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Step 3: Summary of Findings

• A summary of fi ndings regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the selected typical problem in design

and analysis of supply chain should be summarised in this section.

Note:

• From each article something unique should be explained in the report.

• Word limit: 2500 ± 500 words

• As a RMIT Business student, you are required to use the Harvard referencing system.

• The naming convention for both Word and Excel fi les is: ‘Student Number_Student Name’. Both Word

and Excel fi les should be uploaded to the Canvas.

Rubric:

The assignment report is marked based on the following rubric:

Criteria Description Weight

Background of Typical

Problem

Refer to the assignment

description

10%

Model Refer to the assignment

description

20%

Solving an Example Refer to the assignment

description

15%

Literature Review Refer to the assignment

description

40%

Summary of Findings Refer to the assignment

description

5%

Presentation Quality of writing, grammar,

citations, references, format

and structure of report,

captions, etc.

10%

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