Interactive Resource Allocation by Problem Decomposition and Temporal

Abstractions are generally thought to reduce the complexity of problem solving. In this report, we present two abstraction techniques and one partitioning heuristic to solve resource allocation problems. The clustering heuristic decomposes the resource allocation problem into easy and difficult components interacting through abstracted pools of resources. The hierarchy of resource pools allows the user to intervene in conflict resolution at the most appropriate level of abstraction. The temporal abstraction techniques simplify the decoupled components. They also aid the user in assessing the tightness of the problem and the types of missing resources. We propose an algorithm that interleaves these processes. The main advantages of our approach are limiting the need for backtracking, providing an interactive framework for conflict resolution, and offering a comprehensive view of resource contention. 1A shorter version of the report appears in the proceedings of the Second European Workshop on Planning [Choueiry and Faltings, 1994].ions are generally thought to reduce the complexity of problem solving. In this report, we present two abstraction techniques and one partitioning heuristic to solve resource allocation problems. The clustering heuristic decomposes the resource allocation problem into easy and difficult components interacting through abstracted pools of resources. The hierarchy of resource pools allows the user to intervene in conflict resolution at the most appropriate level of abstraction. The temporal abstraction techniques simplify the decoupled components. They also aid the user in assessing the tightness of the problem and the types of missing resources. We propose an algorithm that interleaves these processes. The main advantages of our approach are limiting the need for backtracking, providing an interactive framework for conflict resolution, and offering a comprehensive view of resource contention. 1A shorter version of the report appears in the proceedings of the Second European Workshop on Planning [Choueiry and Faltings, 1994].