Concise review of relaxations and approximation algorithms for nonidentical parallel-machine scheduling to minimize total weighted completion times*

A class of nonidentical parallel machine scheduling problems are considered in which the goal is to minimize the total weighted completion time. Models and relaxations are collected. Most of these problems are NP-hard, in the strong sense, or open problems, therefore approximation algorithms are studied. The review reveals that there exist some potential areas worthy of further research.