→ Assignment model is a special application of Linear Programming Problem (LPP), in which the main objective is to assign the work or task to a group of individuals such that;
i) There is only one assignment.
ii) All the assignments should be done in such a way that the overall cost is minimized (or profit is maximized, incase of maximization).
→ In assignment problem, the cost of performing each task by each individual is known.
→ It is desired to find out the best assignments, such that overall cost of assigning the work is minimized.
Suppose there are 'n' tasks, which are required to be performed using 'n' resources.
The cost of performing each task by each resource is also known (shown in cells of matrix)
→ Assignment Model is a special application of Linear Programming (LP).
→ The mathematical formulation for Assignment Model is given below:
→ Let, denotes the cost of resources 'i' to the task 'j'; such that
→ Now assignment problems are of the Minimization type. So, our objective function is to minimize the overall cost.
→ Subjected to constraint;
(i) For all task, only one resource is possible:
(ii) For all resource, there is only one task possible;
(iii) is '0' or '1'.
In assignment problem, either allocation is done to the cell or not.
So this can be formulated using 0 or 1 integer.
While using this method, we will have n x n decision varables, and n+n equalities.
So even for 4 x 4 matrix problem, it will have 16 decision variables and 8 equalities.
So this method becomes very lengthy and difficult to solve.
As assignment problem is a special case of transportation problem, it can also be solved using transportation methods.
In transportation methods (NWCM, LCM & VAM), the total number of allocations will be (m+n-1) and the solution is known as non-degenerated. (For eg: for 3 x 3 matrix, there will be 3+3-1 = 5 allocations)
But, here in assignment problems, the matrix is a square matrix (m=n).
So total allocations should be (n+n-1), i.e. for 3 x 3 matrix, it should be (3+3-1) = 5
But, we know that in 3 x 3 assignment problem, maximum possible possible assignments are 3 only.
So, if are we will use transportation methods, then the solution will be degenerated as it does not satisfy the condition of (m+n-1) allocations.
So, the method becomes lengthy and time consuming.
It is a simple trail and error type method.
Consider a 3 x 3 assignment problem. Here the assignments are done randomly and the total cost is found out.
For 3 x 3 matrix, the total possible trails are 3!
So total 3! = 3 x 2 x 1 = 6 trails are possible.
The assignments which gives minimum cost is selected as optimal solution.
But, such trail and error becomes very difficult and lengthy.
If there are more number of rows and columns,
( For eg: For 6 x 6 matrix, there will be 6! trails. So 6! = 6 x 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 720 trails possible)
then such methods can't be applied for solving assignments problems.
It was developed by two mathematicians of Hungary. So, it is known as Hungarian Method.
It is also know as Reduced matrix method or Flood's technique.
There are two main conditions for applying Hungarian Method:
(1) Square Matrix (n x n).
(2) Problem should be of minimization type.
Comments:
All comments that you add will await moderation. We'll publish all comments that are topic related, and adhere to our Code of Conduct.
Want to tell us something privately? Contact Us
Post comment