Stepping Stone Method

Step 1: Proceed row by row and select a water square (a square without allocation)
Step 2: Form a closed path starting from the selected water square via stone squares ( a square
with allocation) and then back to the same water square
-

Use rectilinear motion only (horizontal and vertical movement only)

A right angle turn is made only at the stone squares eventhough the path may skip the
stone or water squares

Step 3: Assign alternate plus and minus signs on the closed path starting with a plus sign on the
water square
Step 4: Calculate the net cost change for the path. The net cost change is obtained by
summarizing up the unit cost of each cell
Step 5: Repeat steps 1 to 4 for each of the water squares.
Step 6: Evaluate the solution for optimality test by observing the sign of the net cost change
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

ve sign indicates that a cost reduction can be made by making the change
+ve sign indicate an increase in cost if the change is made
If all the signs are +ve, that means that the optimum solution has been reached
If more than one square has ve sign, then the water square with the largest
negative net cost change is selected for quicker solution

Step 1: Select the water square with the largest negative net cost change. In case of a tie,
choose the square with maximum allocation can be made.
In a case of tie again, choose randomly.
Step 2: Subtract the smallest of the figures from each square at the eve sign of the closed path
and add it to each square at the +ve sign on the path
Step 3: Prepare the new transportation table and check for optimality
Step 4: Test for acceptability
1. m rows & n columns, then
Allocations = m+n-1
2. Allocations should be in independent positions
Step 5: Test for optimality to ensure that all of the figures are +ve.