Adding rules

The Rules tab is where you select the rules for an Auto-Assignment group. Rules determine the logic that Auto-Assignment uses to assign shifts. This is also where you specify which rules are constraints and the weighting of preferences. This determines which rules are higher priority for Auto-Assignment to follow when there are conflicts between rules.

Beginning with version 2023.10, when rules display for selection when you create schedules, the column displays "Hard," "Soft" or "Preference" for the rule. If a rule is a preference, it includes a Weight. In the list of rules, Hard are displayed first, followed by Soft and then Preferences.

See Available rules for a list of Auto-Assignment rules.

  1. From the Configuration page for the Auto-Assignment group, click the Rules tab.
  2. Select a rule from the menu in the Add Rule field.
  3. Click Add Rule.
    The Rule Details pane is displayed below the list of rules.
  4. Specify a name for your new rule in the Label field.
  5. Specify this information to determine the priority of the rule:
    Rule Type

    Configure Hard, Soft or Preference.

    Hard
    Enable this check box to show that the rule is a hard constraint. Auto-Assignment does not break rules set as hard constraints. If it cannot find a solution that does not break a hard constraint, no shifts will be assigned.
    Note: Hard constraints are disabled by default, as they can make it impossible for Auto-Assignment to assign shifts unless they are carefully considered and configured.

    See Hard constraints.

    Soft
    Enable this check box to show that the rule is a soft constraint. A soft constraint has less weight than a hard constraint but, if a preference is also specified, by default, the soft constraint has more weight.
    Preference
    Enable this check box to show the rule as a preference. A preference has the lowest priority. If you select this option, the Weight column is enabled to be configured.
    Weight
    Specify the weight for a preference. Configure a number from 0 to 100.
  6. Specify other rule details as needed. For example, the number of hours for the Minimum Hours Per Shift rule.
  7. Click Save. Your new rule is added to the list in the Rules pane.
  8. Repeat these steps for any additional rules that are required.