Review Generated Shifts

Updated by Leigh Hutchens

This article relates to Classic.

This tab can be used to import shifts for a month, for example from the correct schedule under the Schedule tab, to work with editing. This means the correct schedule is not affected, before the changes are definite. When you are ready, the shifts can be copied to the "live" schedule. Note that you cannot create fixed schedules using the tool. 

The view looks like the monthly view in scheduling and works as a interim schedule. You can create shifts from the forecast here as a starting point for the regular schedule under the Schedule tab. The schedule is then edited and can be copied to the correct schedule. On the right is the Select Action menu with the following options:

Create shifts from forecasts/rules 

Create shifts based on the settings made in the Rules for creation of shifts menu and data from selected forecast variables.

  • Period - select the period you want to create a shifts in the preliminary schedule.
  • Variables to use - choose which forecast variables and rules for creating shifts are to be used to calculate optimal staffing. This function lists all forecast variables. It is possible to select an external source for optimal staffing by selecting “External source” in the drop-down list.
  • Section - select section if shifts are to be created for a specific section.
  • Delete existing shifts - if you have already run automatic scheduling for the selected period and therefore already have existing shifts in the interim schedule, you can tick this checkbox to delete existing shifts and replace them with new ones.
  • Account for existing scheduled shifts - there was previously no way of running automatic scheduling in order to only add to the missing shifts to achieve optimal staffing and at the same time consider existing shifts in the real schedule (not the preliminary schedule). You can now use this checkbox to ‘create shifts to add up to optimal staffing’.
  • Minimum shift length - determines the minimum shift length.
  • Optimal shift length - Quinyx will try to create as many shifts of this length as possible before it reduces or extends shifts to the minimum or maximum.
  • Maximum shift length - Quinyx never creates shift longer than this. Shifts that are longer than the optimal length may however occur if it is ‘cheaper’ than creating a new shift at the minimum shift length.
  • Minimum coverage % - this function will counteract excess staffing. You can add a value for ‘minimum coverage in %’, which in practice means that at least X% of the minimal shift length must be covered by a staffing need in order to be created. Simply put a lower percentage will create more shifts but (possibly) less busy staff.
  • Opening hours - the opening hours for the unit(s). Defined in order to:
    • Ensure that shifts are not created outside of opening hours.
    • Defines when starting and closing shifts are to be extended as per the ‘Extend X start shift and...’ setting. See below.
  • Create shifts outside of opening times - if there is a forecast of sales figures outside of opening times, shifts will be created for these periods.
  • Extend X opening shifts and Y closing shifts by Z minutes - makes it possible to define how many shifts are to be extended back to the start of the day to cover the unit opening, and how many shifts are to be extended forwards in time to the end of the day to cover closing. The extension times for the opening and closing shifts may be different.
  • When minimal staffing levels have been reached, extend relief shifts by X minutes on relief shifts - when an employee starts their shift to relieve another employee who is finishing their shift (same shift type), their shift must be extended backwards/forwards by X minutes so that there is an overlap. This means there is no risk of being under staffed when an employee begins tidying away to go home whilst the other gets ready to start their shift.
  • Save chosen settings as default for your unit: Save shift lengths, coverage and times for all weekdays, as a default for your unit.

Click the button Create shifts from forecast /rules.

Copy interim to schedule 

This feature copies the interim schedule from the stated selected period to the actual schedule.

Minimum coverage - Enter how many percent (in decimal form, e.g. 0,50) of the shift's length that must cover a required headcount in order to be created. 

The Break length setting currently has no effect (set break rules are used instead).

Copy schedule to interim

Copies the actual schedule from the selected period to the interim schedule for editing. No changes affect the actual schedule before it is copied to the actual schedule again.

At present, the following settings are not used:

Break length (set break rules are used instead)

Create xml file 

Create an xml file for a selected period.

At present, the following settings are not current:

Break length (set break rules are used instead)


Delete from interim 

Deletes shifts from the interim schedule; there is also the option to delete individual employee shifts or all shifts from a selected period.

At present, the following settings are not current:

Break length (set break rules are used instead)

Delete from schedule 

Deletes shifts from the current schedule; there is the option to delete individual employee shifts or all shifts from a selected period. 

At present, the following settings are not current:

Break length (set break rules are used instead)

Recalculate est. costs (not used)

Calculates the costs for all shifts in a selected period. No longer used, as all cost calculations are done automatically. 


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