A mathematical formulation of time-cost and reliability optimization for supply chain management in research-development projects

Abstract

One of the most important strategic decisions in Research-Development projects is network design. It needs to be optimized for the long-term efficient operation. This paper aims at designing the network of Supply Chain for R&D projects. Accordingly, it proposes a Goal programming model for solving a Project-oriented Supply Chain Management problem. The proposed model is developed to determine the optimal combination of the main contractors, executers, and various alternatives for project implementation. The model optimizes time, cost and reliability in the whole lifecycle for the R&D projects. A case study is presented to validate and illustrate the proposed model. The main reason for the high cost and time in the case study was due to the incorrect choice of the network of suppliers and consultants. The model has been tested by the numerical data, revealing that the model could have a significant contribution to the productivity of project-oriented organization. This model could serve as a guideline for managers and decision makers in R&D projects, enabling them to identify the best networks of the SC in their organizations to resolve and improve problems. It also acts as a useful basis for researchers to continue research concerning SCM in R&D projects.