Nigerian Journal of Engineering Management 2003 Nigerian Journal of Engineering Management 2003 Vol. 4. No. 1, 22-25 OPTIMIZING INVESTMENTS’ CASHFLOW: A SCHEDULING APPROACH V.O OLADOKUN Department of Industrial and Production Engineering University of Ibadan Ibadan, NIGERIA. ABSTRACT In this paper, the problem of optimising cash flow so as to enhance the financial feasibility of a multipart project is considered. The problem has been modelled as a single machine scheduling problem. Several sectors of the Nigerian economy where this problem is encountered are also discussed. A real life problem was solved on a PC using an electronic spreadsheet. Keywords: Scheduling. Project financing. Cash flow. Optimisation. Electronic Spreadsheet 1.INTRODUCTION Scheduling is the allocation of resources over time to perform a collection of tasks. Because scheduling is a decision making function much of what we learn about scheduling can apply to other kinds of decision-making. Baker (1974). Thus this work seeks to use some scheduling concepts to address a problem of optimising cash flow during development period of a multi – parts project type. The high cost of capital, as reflected by high interest rates, has become a major factor responsible for high cost of production in the Nigerian economy. Also several cases of abandonment of engineering projects may be traced to problem of financing. According to Akinbinu (2002) financing is the major constraint of most small-scale enterprise (SME) start- ups. The challenge facing many engineering managers involves that of cash flow management in order to improve the financial feasibility of such projects.