Due-date determination for an single-machine shop with SPT dispatching

In this paper an innovative method of assigning due-dates for a single-machine shop employing the SPT dispatching rule is proposed. A heuristic approach to determining the optimal due-dates which minimize the average amount of missed due-dates is also suggested. The effectiveness of the method is evaluated by computer simulation of a hypothetical job shop having different processing characteristics and under various shop conditions. It is shown that despite its simplicity, the heuristic method is able to assign accurate due-dates. In fact, its performance under all tested conditions is no more than 15% worse than the corresponding optimal values, which can be determined only after extensive searching on a computer. As a result, the heuristic method provides a simple but effective means for assigning due-dates.