Speaker: Sameela Wijesundara – Monash University

Abstract:

Optimisation problems are everywhere. These problems require finding a combination of choices (i.e., a solution) that satisfies a set of constraints and, optimises an objective function. Owing to their societal importance, computational approaches for solving optimisation problems have improved significantly. However, despite significant advances in constraint problem modelling and solving technology, the adoption of this technology in real-world decision-support systems remains lower than expected.

In this talk, I discuss some of the common barriers to the adoption of constraint technology, as well as additional challenges identified through my thesis. To address these challenges, I present a semi-formal visual specification technique designed to enhance communication between domain experts and modelling experts, support shared understanding, and facilitate collaborative constraint model development. This technique, termed Constraint Entity-Relationship Diagrams (CERDs), serves as an intermediate representation between the constraint problem and its model. Further, CERDs can serve as a living document that is used to elicit problem requirements and to provide a stable reference and a form of agreement between domain experts and modelling experts. CERDs are extensions of the well-known ERDs used for database design during the requirements specification phase of the software engineering process. The talk concludes by sharing insights gained from a series of user studies conducted to evaluate the CERDs across seven real-world case studies affiliated with Monash University. These studies enabled close collaboration with both modelling experts and domain experts, providing valuable evidence of the potential of CERDs to support more collaborative approaches to constraint model development.

This event is Hybrid:
JOIN VIA ZOOM – MEETING ID: 873 1557 5255; PASSWORD: 778635
20 Exhibition Wlk, Clayton-2-279-Meeting Room

SEMINAR: WED 15 JULY 2026 4.00PM-5.00PM (AEST, Melbourne Time)