Past and future schedules

The optimizer examines existing schedules before and after the period being scheduled. This enables each possible schedule solution to be evaluated for compliance with the rules in the context of the existing schedule. For example, a rule specifies that employees can be scheduled to a maximum of five consecutive work days. An employee is scheduled on all five days before the schedule period. To avoid breaking the rule, the employee must not be scheduled on the first day of the schedule period.

Rules that can look back consider a specific number of days before the start date of the schedule period. Similarly, rules that look forward consider a specific number of days after the end date of the schedule period. Different types of rules look forward or back different lengths of time. The options specified when configuring a rule can also affect the length of time that the rule looks forward or back.

Time period based rules

Time period based rules determine how many times a schedule feature, such as shifts or hours, is allowed within a specified time period. The Maximum Hours Per Time Period rule is an example of this type of rule.

Time period based rules can look back at employees' previous schedules. This is controlled by configuring the Time Period option for the rule. If the time period specified is longer than the schedule period, the rule looks back for the difference between the schedule period and the specified time period. For example, if the time period is 10 days and the schedule period is 7 days, the rule looks back at the 3 days before the schedule period. The rule does not look back at previous schedules when the specified time period is the same as or shorter than the schedule period.

Consecutive days rules

Consecutive day rules determine how many consecutive days can be scheduled with the same schedule feature, such as shifts or days off. Consecutive days rules always look backwards and forwards 14 days from the period being scheduled. The Maximum Consecutive Days rule is an example of this type of rule.

Shift type rules

Shift type rules dictate when a shift with a specific shift type must, or must not, be scheduled after a shift of another shift type. To ensure compliance when scheduling the first and last days of the schedule period, shift type rules look at one day before and one day after the schedule period. The Shift Type Y Must Follow Shift Type X rule is an example of this type of rule.

Block rules

Block rules determine how many times a shift of a certain type can be scheduled in a block of consecutive shifts. The Maximum Type X Occurrences In Block rule is an example of this type of rule.

If the assignment period is 14 days or shorter, block rules look back and forward 14 days from the period being scheduled. For example, when generating a schedule for a week, a block rule looks at 14 days before and 14 days after the schedule period. If the assignment period is longer than 14 days, block rules look back and forward for the length of the assignment period. For example, when generating a 28 day schedule, a block rule looks at 28 days before and 28 days after the schedule period.

Note: For performance reasons, the maximum size of a block of shifts is 10 days. Block rules are not enforced on blocks where an employee is scheduled for more than 10 consecutive days.