tuplan

Tuplan is a term used in planning theory and computer science to denote a unified planning abstraction that connects task definitions, schedules, and resources. There is no single, universally accepted definition of tuplan; rather, it appears in several theoretical and experimental contexts as a modular framework for modeling complex planning problems. The term is often employed to compare approaches, prototype representations, or serve as an intermediate layer between domain models and planners.

A typical tuplan model comprises several core components. The task model describes activities, their dependencies, and expected outcomes. The timeline model encodes durations, deadlines, and sequencing constraints. The resource model maps available machines, personnel, and materials, including their availabilities and costs. The policy model captures priorities, rules, and constraints that influence decision-making. The interconnections among these layers determine the feasibility, efficiency, and robustness of proposed plans.

Purpose and use of tuplan vary by context. In research, tuplan serves as a common reference structure to compare planning algorithms, study multi-agent coordination, and analyze trade-offs between optimality and computational scalability. It can function as an intermediate representation within planning languages or as a blueprint for developing planning software tools. Real-world applicability spans domains such as manufacturing, logistics, and project management simulations, where the ability to model tasks, timing, and resources in a cohesive framework is valuable.

Variants and adoption of tuplan differ across studies, reflecting its status as a flexible conceptual tool rather than a standardized architecture. See also planning theory, operations research, and AI planning.