Activating the what-if analysis function

Activate the what-if analysis function in some models to improve turnaround time outcomes for work orders.

About this task

To better understand the dynamics of various work orders and the impact on turnaround times, some optimization models use the what-if analysis function. With the what-if analysis function, the planner can see which work orders have the most impact to change from the base scenario, or keep at the base scenario. The following optimization models contain the what-if analysis function.
  • Resource leveling optimization
  • Maintenance scheduling optimization

The what-if analysis function uses a new set of parameters and the parameter ID prefix is TATImpact. The script for what-if analysis function is active when the TATImpactWOlist parameter field has data that is entered about work order numbers. If the TATImpactWOlist parameter field is empty, the script for what-if analysis function does not run. Complete the following steps to activate the script for the what-if analysis function within the optimization model.

Procedure

  1. Open the application.
    • Graphical Scheduling
    • Graphical Scheduling - Large Projects
  2. Select a schedule.
  3. In the schedule, go to the More Actions list.
  4. Select Create Scenario and select a scenario.
    • Create Maintenance Scheduling Scenario
    • Create Resource Leveling Scenario
  5. In the Create Maintenance Scheduling Scenario window, enter a scenario name. If you want, enter your text in the other fields.
  6. Click OK and Move.
    Note: For optimization with the Graphical Scheduling - Large Projects application, select Use Alternate Availability. However, optimization with the Graphical Scheduling application works with either Use Alternate Availability or Individual resources.
    1. In the Schedule view, click the tab for More Information.
    2. Enable the toggle switch for Use Alternate Availability.
    3. Click the Save Schedule icon.
  7. Go to the Common Actions list and select Run Optimization.
  8. In the Maintenance Scheduling Optimization window, click Save and click the Additional Parameters tab.
  9. Select the Additional Parameters tab.
  10. Click the Open Filter icon, the filter fields display.
  11. In the Parameter ID filter field, enter TAT and click return. The related list of parameters display.
  12. In the search results list, find the parameter TATImpactWOList.
  13. In the value field for the parameter TATImpactWOList, enter a comma-separated list of work order IDs. You can get the work order IDs from the Graphical View for the schedule.
  14. Review values for the other TATImpact type parameters and modify a value as you need to. From the list of parameters, the following parameters might be of interest to you as a starting point.
    TATImpactModelParam
    Select the model that you want to use.
    The WhatIfRemovedWO parameter value is for the default model. Assesses the impact of removing work orders from a schedule. Runs what-if analysis with removal of TATImpactWOList.
    The WhatIfChangeSNEWO parameter value assesses the impact of adding new work orders into a schedule. Run what-if analysis with relaxing SNE for TATImpactWOList.
    TATImpactAlgo
    Select the algorithm that you want to use.
    The GREEDY parameter value is for the default algorithm.
    TATImpactBudget
    Defines the number of work orders from the what-if candidate list that can be removed as part of the what-if analysis and testing. For example, you might enter a value of 2 for a candidate list of 10 work orders. The result is 1 or more subsets with a cardinality of 2 work orders.
  15. Click Run.
  16. The Optimization Report window opens.
    • In the Status field, see the status change from PROCESSING to PROCESSED.
    • Click the Alerts tab and look at the Message column for details about turnaround time and gains in turnaround time.
    • If you have access to the Administration UI for Optimizer, you can download an Excel report for turnaround time impact analysis. For more information about optimization jobs in the Administration UI, see Viewing optimization processes and results.