Patent US 5,406,476

Constrained resource allocation techniques are implemented with a digital computer due to its improved speed and graphics capability. These techniques allow for rapid resource constrained scheduling when given a precedence ordered list of activities. Resources are allocated to activities in order of highest priority with all precedence constraints being taken into account. Resources are allocated in such a manner that preserves the integrity of the random variables associated with start and finish times of activities. Activity durations and start/finish expected values and variances are adjusted to account for shortfalls occurring prior to an activity's start time and between an activity's start and finish times. The result is a schedule of start and finish times for each activity that is resource feasible and achievable within a prescribed confidence level.