License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0)
When quoting this document, please refer to the following
DOI: 10.4230/LIPIcs.CP.2023.37
URN: urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-190740
URL: http://dagstuhl.sunsite.rwth-aachen.de/volltexte/2023/19074/
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Wijesundara, Sameela Suharshani ; Garcia de la Banda, Maria ; Tack, Guido

Addressing Problem Drift in UNHCR Fund Allocation

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LIPIcs-CP-2023-37.pdf (3 MB)

Abstract

Optimisation models are concise mathematical representations of real-world problems, usually developed by modelling experts in consultation with domain experts. Typically, domain experts are only indirectly involved in the problem modelling process, providing information and feedback, and thus perceive the deployed model as a black box. Unfortunately, real-world problems "drift" over time, where changes in the input data parameters and/or requirements cause the developed model to fail. This requires modelling experts to revisit and update deployed models. This paper identifies the issue of problem drift in optimisation problems using as case study a model we developed for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help them allocate funds to different crises. We describe the initial model and the challenges due to problem drift that occurred over the following years. We then use this case study to explore techniques for mitigating problem drift by including domain experts in the modelling process via techniques such as domain specific languages.

BibTeX - Entry

@InProceedings{wijesundara_et_al:LIPIcs.CP.2023.37,
  author =	{Wijesundara, Sameela Suharshani and Garcia de la Banda, Maria and Tack, Guido},
  title =	{{Addressing Problem Drift in UNHCR Fund Allocation}},
  booktitle =	{29th International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming (CP 2023)},
  pages =	{37:1--37:18},
  series =	{Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-300-3},
  ISSN =	{1868-8969},
  year =	{2023},
  volume =	{280},
  editor =	{Yap, Roland H. C.},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/opus/volltexte/2023/19074},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-190740},
  doi =		{10.4230/LIPIcs.CP.2023.37},
  annote =	{Keywords: Fund Allocation, Problem Drift, Domain Specific Languages, MiniZinc}
}

Keywords: Fund Allocation, Problem Drift, Domain Specific Languages, MiniZinc
Collection: 29th International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming (CP 2023)
Issue Date: 2023
Date of publication: 22.09.2023

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