Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 July 2016
A single machine is available to process a collection J of jobs. The machine is free to switch between jobs at any time, but processing must respect a set Γof precedence constraints. Jobs evolve stochastically and earn rewards as they are processed, not otherwise. The theoretical framework of forwards induction/Gittins indexation is used to develop approaches to strategy evaluation for quite general (J,Γ). The performance of both forwards induction strategies and a class of quasi-myopic heuristics is assessed.
During the course of this research, Dr Glazebrook was supported by the National Research Council as a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Operations Research, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943-5000, USA.