Parallel-Machine Scheduling with Step-Deteriorating Jobs to Minimize the Total (Weighted) Completion Time

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the parallel-machine scheduling with step-deteriorating jobs. The actual processing time of each job deteriorates as a step function if its starting time is beyond a given deteriorating date. We focus on the case of the common job deteriorating date. For the minimization problem of total completion time, we first show that the problem is NP-hard in the strong sense. Then we propose one property of any optimal schedule. Furthermore, we prove that two special cases of common normal processing time or common penalty are polynomially solvable. For the minimization problem of total weighted completion time, we analyze the NP-hardness and present a polynomial time optimal algorithm for the case of common normal processing time and common penalty.