There are disclosed systems, as well as methods of operation, for allocating
multi-function resources among a plurality of tasks within a process system. An
exemplary resource allocator is introduced that allocates multi-function resources
among tasks within a process system capable of executing at least one application
process. The resource allocator comprises a monitoring controller, model of the
process system and a resource allocation controller. The monitoring controller
monitors measurable characteristics associated with the executing application process,
multi-function resources and tasks, each of the measurable characteristics being
one of a status characteristic and a logistical characteristic. The model represents
mathematically the multi-function resources and the tasks, and defines relationships
among related ones thereof as a function of the application process. The resource
allocation controller operates the model in response to the monitored measurable
characteristics and allocates ones of the multi-function resources among ones of
the tasks within the process system to efficiently execute the at least one application process.