Optimizing the scheduling of recruitment and initial training for soldiers in the Australian Army

Abstract

This thesis develops a master scheduling program to optimize recruitment into the Australian Army by employment category. The goal of the model developed here is to reduce the man-hours lost awaiting follow-on employment training. The model aims to provide a more efficient planning tool for the annual optimal recruitment dates to achieve the stated goal for all employment categories within the Australian Army. Two scheduling optimization models are developed in this thesis using linear programming. The first model schedules 30 courses to occur within a 14 to 28 day timeframe, while the second model schedules 36 courses. The first model creates an optimal schedule using the financial year 2016–17 (FY16/17) data to allow the Australian Army to be able to plan the year in isolation, not considering the following year’s training program. The second model creates an optimal schedule extrapolating the FY16/17 data out to 18 months to allow the Australian Army to consider a longer-term training schedule. The second model is more accurate and achieves shorter wait times between courses. The models developed in this thesis can be adjusted to provide decision support for future training scheduling to achieve minimum wait times for recruits in the training pipeline.