Author(s)

Ikuobase Emovon, Macaulay Thomas Lilly, Stephen Ogajiye Tamuno-Ojuemi Ogaji

Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria.
Mechanical Engineering Department, Rives state University of Science and Technology, PortHarcourt, Nigeria.
School of Engineering, Cranfied University, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom.

This paper is concerned with the optimization of the workforce scheduling for solving maintenance problems. To achieve this aim an optimsation software for (5, 7) problem was developed. The programme was written in Quick Basic. The software was designed to produce a seven day schedule for organization operating a seven day week. Hence organization operating a five day schedule wishing to change to a seven day schedule we find this software very useful. The Quick-Basic computer programme was based on Alfares [1, 2] algorithm for solving (5,7) schedule problem. Data collected from Afam power station, Nigeria was used as input data. The test result shows the software is capable of determining workforce size and assigning workers to day-off pattern. The seven-day schedule produced savings of 11% maintenance labour cost when compared with the 5-day schedule currently being practiced by the Power station [3].

Optimization; Workforce Scheduling; Software; Quickbasic

I. Emovon, M. Lilly and S. Ogaji, "Design of Software for Maintenance Workforce Scheduling (A Case Study of Afam Power Station, Nigeria)," Engineering, Vol. 4 No. 5, 2012, pp. 235-244. doi: 10.4236/eng.2012.45031.