A newsvendor-like model for harvesting operational decisions

The problem considered in this paper is an extension of classical project resource-constrained scheduling under uncertainty. The extension applies to a situation where a single operation or job can be performed by more than one resource, but each resource may be temporarily unavailable throughout the project lifecycle. The problem is to determine in advance the timing of the availability of the resources, and then, to assign the operation or job to one of the optional resources. The effect of such assignment is to maximize the benefit that can be obtained throughout the project lifecycle. The paper proposes a newsvendor-like model that supports the scheduling decision-making under uncertainty and analyzes the economic benefits of alternative scheduling decisions. A case study with a rented blueberry harvester that was required for a harvesting project exposes some interesting insights that can be implemented in small projects, or in segments of large projects.