ASSIGNMENT METHOD Meaning and
Definition
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The assignment method is a technique used in operations research and mathematical optimization to solve allocation or assignment problems. It is employed to determine the best possible assignment of a set of resources to a set of tasks or jobs, with the objective of optimizing certain criteria, such as minimizing total cost, maximizing total efficiency, or achieving an equitable distribution.
In the assignment method, a matrix is constructed where the rows represent the resources and the columns represent the tasks or jobs. Each cell of the matrix represents the cost, efficiency, or other relevant criterion of assigning a particular resource to a specific task. The objective is to find the assignment that minimizes or maximizes the overall value in the matrix.
This mathematical technique utilizes algorithms and optimization models to systematically search for the optimal assignment. The assignment method accounts for constraints, such as limited availability of resources or skills required for specific tasks, and strives to find the assignment that best satisfies these constraints while optimizing the objective function.
The assignment method finds various applications in a wide range of fields, including logistics and supply chain management, workforce planning, project management, and scheduling. By providing an efficient and systematic approach to allocation problems, the assignment method allows decision-makers to make optimal choices, improve resource utilization, and enhance overall performance.
Etymology of ASSIGNMENT METHOD
The term assignment method is a compound word that combines two individual words: assignment and method. Here is the etymology of each word:
- Assignment: The word assignment originated from the Latin word assignare, which means to mark out or to allot. In English, it began being used in the late 14th century with the meaning of a task or duty assigned. Over time, it expanded to also refer to the act of officially transferring property or rights to someone else.
- Method: The word method has its roots in the Latin word methodus, derived from the Greek word methodos. In Greek, meta means with or alongside, while hodos means way or road. By combining these elements, methodos came to mean pursuit or proceeding in a certain way.
