Integration of planning, scheduling, and control: A review and new perspectives

Abstract

The competitive, profitable, and safe operation of chemical plants depends on tight and effective coordination among the different decision making levels of the enterprise, including planning, scheduling, and control. The optimal integration of these functions has become critical given the disruptive effects of the recent COVID-19 pandemic on the supply chains and the current trends in climate change. However, integrating multiple decision making levels creates modelling and computational challenges. In this study, we review the progress made in the integration of two and three decisions levels using mathematical programming and control theory tools. We highlight the model reduction and decomposition techniques that have been applied, as well as the main issues that remain unsolved. Perspectives on emergent areas of application and novel computing solutions are also discussed.