Terminal inventory level constraints for online production scheduling

We study online production scheduling, that is, the iterative solution of scheduling optimization problems taking into account feedback, to ensure high quality of implemented, as opposed to predicted, production schedules. While the addition of terminal constraints on inventory levels can be used to obtain high quality implemented schedules, traditional approaches based on safety stocks may be ineffective. Accordingly, we first propose a framework for the analysis of general classes of terminal constraints, and then propose new classes of linear terminal constraints for specific production environments. We provide proofs on the validity of these constraints as well as extensions to more general environments. Finally, through a computational study, we show that the implementation of the proposed constraints leads to better implemented solutions.