DEVELOPMENT OF A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR EXAMINATION TIMETABLING

Abstract

Examination Timetabling poses a difficult to solve optimization problem that lacks analytical solution. This study presents a Decision Support System for Examination Timetabling called the Venue Based Examination Timetabling Model (VBET). The VBET model consists of a Control System that uses Constraint Satisfaction Programming to generate examination timetables. The objective is to allow timeslot pre-assignments in generating a feasible timetable; this objective is formulated into the objective function while other major requirements for the exam timetable such as examination prioritization, room availability and examination collision are formulated into constraints. The VBET model was implemented with Hypertext Pre-processor (PHP) scripting language and My Structured Query Language (MySQL) on Apache Server used as the webserver within Windows environment. A user interface was developed with Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML) and Cascading Styles Sheet (CSS). The model was simulated using sample data collected from the Computer Resource Centre, FUTA. The result shows that the Decision Support System will provide students with exam schedules that are not only conflict free but also satisfy the formulated constraints. The system will also provide users a decision Support System that assists in exam schedule generation.