A packing-multiple-boxes model for R&D project selection and scheduling

R&D project selection has been a popular research topic since the 1960s, but the scheduling issue has rarely been considered in such research. This paper records the development and application of a heuristic packing-multiple-boxes (PMB, or multi-knapsacks-model) model, which is based on the packing-single-box (PSB) model. The PMB model can be used for both selecting and scheduling candidate R&D projects. The model was established at the request of a case company that conducts up to 20 large R&D projects simultaneously. The example of using this model at the case company for a five-year planning period is provided. Although the model may not be a optimistic one, it provides one solution to solve this problem. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.