The MOEN model developed in the paper is designed to handle these types of problems. The model is based on the following underlying characteristics:
1. Within an organization, individuals possessing certain attributes need to be assigned to jobs each period;
2. Initially, each individual possesses some known combination of attributes and is tallied in a group with individuals possessing the same combination;
3. Additional attributes can be acquired through special training assignments or through job assignments;
4. Individuals may move into or out of groups as a result of hiring, retirement, reductions-in-force, etc.; and
5. Assignments may span one or more periods.
The task of the model, then, is to determine how many individuals possessing a certain combination of attributes should be assigned to each job each period, in order to fill as many jobs as possible with individuals possessing the desired attributes.