Accession Number:

ADA243602

Title:

Optimal Specialization and Allocation of Maintenance Manpower

Descriptive Note:

Doctoral thesis,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH

Personal Author(s):

• Dietz, Dennis C.

Report Date:

1991-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

111.0

Abstract:

This thesis develops an analytical method for determining an optimal level of specialization and optimal task allocation for a maintenance manpower force. The method assumes that maintenance tasks are generated by a system of identical machines which experience random malfunctions and require periodic service. The impact of alternative manpower structures on system performance is evaluated using a queuing network model. Markov decision analysis is employed to determine an optimal assignment of manpower resources to pending tasks as the network status varies over time. A linear programming algorithm is derived to enable simultaneous optimization of specific assignment decisions and the overall manpower structure. The optimization method is developed and demonstrated through a simple example, but the dimensionality issues associated with larger system models are also addressed.

Descriptors:

• *ALGORITHMS
• MODELS
• NETWORKS
• LINEAR PROGRAMMING
• STRUCTURES
• THESES
• MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
• MANPOWER
• DECISION THEORY
• RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
• SYNCHRONISM
• MALFUNCTIONS
• MARKOV PROCESSES
• SPECIALIZATION
• OPTIMIZATION

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE