Heery International's spreadsheet optimization model for assigning managers to construction projects

When assigning managers to construction projects, Heery International tries to minimize the total cost of the assignments while maintaining a balanced workload for different managers. We developed and implemented an Excel spreadsheet optimization model for problems with up to 114 projects. As time passes, new projects arise, old projects terminate, and occasionally new managers join the team, and existing ones resign or transfer out. Because the model is in a spreadsheet environment, Heery can easily add or remove projects and managers from the model. As a result of our model, Heery has managed its projects without replacing a manager who resigned and has reduced travel costs, because the model assigns managers to projects that are closer to their homes than previously.