Seminar Abstract:
Researchers treat scheduling as a notorious decision-making problem while a majority of schedulers on the shop floor somehow manage it by common sense. The practitioners usually make real-time scheduling decisions without realizing the ripple effect of their decisions on the production. Due to the continuous practice of short-sighted, real-time decision making, they do not perceive the problem complexity. Such practice results in perpetual firefighting on the shop floor and they consider it as natural part of the system. This phenomenon is quite common in job shops with high-variety, low-volume production. There is an excellent literature on the theory of scheduling and numerous research papers are published in the area of scheduling. Several software vendors developed tools based on scientific scheduling algorithms (including artificial intelligence methods) and supplied them to production schedulers in order to improve the efficiency of production management. But, the benefits did not reach a vast majority of shop floors as expected for many reasons. What is the real gap between the methodology developed by the researchers and what the practitioners do on the shop floor? What kind of help do the practitioners really seek? The two sides seem to have no contact with each other. The theory of constraints (TOC) and lean manufacturing practices are trying to fill this gap. The seminar will highlight the gap that must be reduced by both researchers and practitioners. There will be a discussion on the role of researchers, software vendors and practitioners in the reduction of this gap.

Speaker's Bio:
With a Ph.D. degree in scheduling, Dr. R. Prasad Velaga worked for many years as faculty of operations research and manufacturing consultant. He published several papers on scheduling and optimization in reputed journals in operations research. He also worked as a visiting faculty at Texas A&M University in the past. As a research scientist, he worked on the development of scheduling paradigms and genetic algorithms in DoD-funded projects. His company, Optisol implements scheduling solutions for complex production systems. He is actively involved in the application of scheduling theory, simulations and optimization methods in practical situations. While emphasizing the use of common sense in the application of scientific methods, Dr. Velaga tries to prove the utility of rigorous, scientific thinking in the management of real-life production systems.

Seminar Abstract:
What is a successful career? Is it having an impact, adding value, getting paid well, enjoying your work or...? Regardless of your definition of career success there are basic principles that can help you create such a career. Starting with these principles you can create dynamic, successful careers for yourself regardless of market conditions, bad bosses, politics or Dilbertesque corporate policies. This talk will describe these principles and how to apply them.

Speaker's Bio:
I grew up more or less in New Hampshire and did my undergraduate work at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts. Although originally studying microbiology and genetics, I discovered process engineering during a co-op for Biogen. After that, I changed directions and went to graduate school at Rice University where I received my Ph.D in Chemical Engineering and never attended an Owls football game. During my 15 year career at Dow at I have worked in roles in plant support, in process design & modeling, in Six Sigma and in Enterprise-Wide Optimization. My technical interests include simulation, uncertainty, decision analysis and optimization. My vocational interests include mentoring and developing new employees. I'm lucky to be married to a wonderful person, Karen and I have two dogs. I occasionally teach yoga.