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CMA Intermediate · Operations Management and Strategic Management · Job Evaluation, Job Allocation - Assignment

In an assignment problem, a particular worker cannot be given a particular job because of a technical restriction. How should this restriction be handled in the cost matrix before applying the Hungarian method?

The prohibited cell is given a very large cost M in a minimisation problem. This makes the pair so unattractive that the Hungarian method will never select it, while the matrix stays square. A zero entry would do the reverse and favour the forbidden assignment.

  1. AEnter zero in that cell so the pair is never chosen
  2. BDelete that worker's entire row from the matrix
  3. CEnter a very large cost (M) in that cell so the pair is never chosenCorrect
  4. DSubtract the largest element of the matrix from that cell

Explanation

For a minimisation problem, a prohibited assignment is given a prohibitively high cost M. This keeps the matrix square and ensures the optimal solution never uses that cell. Entering zero would make the cell highly attractive, which is the opposite of what is needed.

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