Cost optimization of heterogeneous auditors allocation in certification body

摘要

Auditor allocation plays a key role in a certification body to help minimize labor cost while satisfying client's demands. Different from traditional assignment problem that one agent is assigning to perform one or more tasks, auditor allocation needs to consider industrial features, such as auditor's qualifications, availability, and requirements of rules and standards. In this study, we propose an auditor assignment model to address the aforesaid features. The model is a multiple dimensional assignment problem. We verified the proposed model using the data obtained from a joint-venture accreditation company in China. The findings of this study help guide certification practitioners to follow a logic way to improve productivity and efficiencies of tasks assignment. Thus the proposed model is both theoretically meaningful and practically useful.