In a scheduling problem, the primary objective is often to minimize the total completion time of all jobs, which is the sum of the completion times of all jobs.

Shortest Job First (SJF) is a common heuristic used for scheduling problems. It prioritizes jobs with shorter processing times, aiming to minimize the average waiting time of jobs.

The economic order quantity (EOQ) is the optimal quantity to order to minimize the total inventory cost, which includes ordering costs, holding costs, and shortage costs.

The bullwhip effect is the phenomenon where demand variability is amplified as it moves upstream in the supply chain, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Linear programming is a common technique used for optimizing supply chain networks, as it allows for the modeling of complex relationships and constraints between different components of the network.

Safety stock is held in a supply chain to buffer against demand uncertainty, ensuring that there is sufficient inventory to meet customer demand even when demand is higher than expected.

Exponential smoothing is a common technique used for forecasting demand in supply chain management, as it allows for the incorporation of historical data and the adjustment of forecasts based on recent trends.

A Gantt chart is a graphical representation that visualizes the sequence of jobs and their processing times, allowing for easy identification of bottlenecks and resource conflicts.

The reorder point is the level of inventory at which a new order is placed to replenish the inventory before it reaches a critical level.

A distribution center is a facility used to store and distribute goods to customers, typically located in close proximity to customer markets.

Safety stock optimization is a common technique used for optimizing inventory levels in a supply chain, aiming to minimize the total cost associated with holding safety stock while ensuring a desired level of service.

The critical path in a scheduling problem is the longest path through the network of jobs, determining the minimum time required to complete all jobs.

Linear programming is a common technique used for optimizing supply chain networks, as it allows for the modeling of complex relationships and constraints between different components of the network.

A cross-docking facility is a facility used to receive and distribute goods without storing them, typically used to reduce inventory holding costs and improve supply chain efficiency.

Branch-and-bound is a common technique used for optimizing scheduling problems, particularly for large and complex problems, as it systematically explores the solution space and identifies the optimal solution.