Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

1-31-1968

Abstract

$C is to be allocated among n "approaches" such that the expected probability of successful completion of at least one of the n approaches is maximized. The ith approach involves a cost ci which is a random variable with probability density function $\i_ and has a probability P_i(c_i) of success. Faced with this uncertainty in cost, the R & D manager can either: a) Choose a large number of approaches to support but allocate to them small amount of money or b) Choose a small number of approaches to support but allocate to them large amount of money. This allocation problem is mathematically analyzed to yield sufficient conditions under which policy b) is better.

Keywords

Operations research, Mathematical optimization, Research and development projects, Resource allocation

Publication Title

Technical Memorandums from the Department of Operations, School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Issue

Technical memorandum no. 102

Rights

This work is in the public domain and may be freely downloaded for personal or academic use

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