LAB 3 - COMSOAL Random Sequence Generation

Rubric (/10 total)

Was some effort at COMSOAL attempted? ( /2)

Precedence Correct in program/ function ( /2)
Did the program actually run ( /2)
Instructions/ was it clear how to use? ( /2)
Sequences generated correct ( /2)

We talked about COMSOAL in early lectures, and I think it is a good exercise to practice. It will take
some time, that is why I have made it a Lab, so it is worth more. Both the TA and I can help in our
office hours but will not be walking you through every step. You have the choice of using just Excel
or VBA, whatever you are comfortable with. If you prefer a different language, you can use that too,
but it may be more work.

Purpose:
 Use Excel OR the programming language of your choice to produce several line-balancing
options given a particular item (and precedence restrictions). i.e. you will input the
precedence diagram (in the form of a matrix is probably the easiest) and your spreadsheet
will output various feasible combinations IGNORE CYCLE TIME AND JUST PRODUCE VALID
SEQUENCES

Minimum Requirements: The sequence created by your excel document must:

 Abide by precedence restrictions
 Produce many sequence variations (perhaps all at once, but at least one-at-a-time and be
easy to reset)

Details:
 Input: precedence diagram (Figure 2.5 from Askin Chapter 2, shown below)
 Output: A file which can produce a valid random sequence for the TA with the stroke of a
key or two – i.e. he/she should not have to try very hard to understand what to do and how
to create a new sequence, and how to interpret the results. You should submit your code as
text, and be clear as to which program it was designed for
  Example: given the raw data, your sheet should be able to produce the sequences:
 ONLY PRODUCE SEQUENCES, DO NOT FIND NUMBER OF WS
 dfeabcgbjikl
 adbcgfheijkl
 Upload this file on Brightspace in the appropriate box. 1 file only, and we will be
downloading them to check them.

If You Need Help Getting Started:

1. First come up with a process that will generate a valid random sequence - i.e. a process that will
satisfy the minimum requirements. Do not think of how to get a computer to do it – think of how
you would do it (the reading “Askin Chapter 2” on from Week 1 can help if you are stuck on this
process). Break it down into the actual steps, and the math associated with that
2. Follow the process yourself in excel (doing many of the items by hand if need be to understand
how it works)
3. Base most of your work on using a precedence matrix
4. Try and automate this algorithm as much as possible - I recommend using VBA – but using just
excel may suffice if you can get it produce a new sequence with minimum intervention by you.
 If you do not wish to use Excel’s programming language, VBA, try learning about and
using these commands
o Choose(), Concatenate(), Right(), Left(), mid(), rand(), randbetween()