Auto Schedule use cases
Updated
by
Leigh Hutchens
Use Case 1: Balancing full-time and part-time schedules
Scenario
Managers struggle to create schedules that effectively balance shifts for full-time and part-time employees while meeting fluctuating demand. Without proper scheduling, this can lead to overstaffing during low-demand periods and understaffing during peak times.
Solution
Using Auto Schedule, managers can configure minimum and maximum shift lengths for both full-time and part-time employees. The algorithm analyzes the demand curve and generates a mix of shift lengths that ensures coverage while minimizing inefficiencies.
Outcome
- Demand is met with an optimized mix of full-time and part-time shifts.
- Overstaffing and understaffing are significantly reduced.
- Managers save time by automating this complex scheduling process.
Use Case 2: Efficiently overscheduling for additional tasks
Scenario
Managers want to consistently overschedule employees to handle secondary tasks like stocking shelves during idle time. However, manually creating shifts to match this requirement is time-consuming and often unevenly distributed across the day.
Solution
Auto Schedule allows managers to configure the algorithm to assign shift hours based on employees’ contractual hours, rather than stopping once demand is met. This ensures additional shifts are created beyond the demand curve, with overscheduling evenly distributed throughout the day.
Outcome
- Employees are consistently scheduled with time for both primary and secondary tasks.
- Overscheduling is balanced throughout the day, preventing bottlenecks or unnecessary idle time.
- Managers can achieve productivity goals while still adhering to employee contractual obligations.
Use Case 3: Adjusting schedules for cost-saving strategies
Scenario
After opening a store, managers intentionally overscheduled to ensure customers received immediate support. Over time, they’ve noticed that loyal customers are willing to wait a few minutes for assistance, prompting a desire to reduce staffing costs by scheduling fewer shifts.
Solution
Auto Schedule can be configured to prioritize cost savings by slightly underscheduling rather than overscheduling. The algorithm adjusts shifts to balance customer service needs with budget constraints, ensuring minimal impact on customer experience while reducing overall staffing costs.
Outcome
- Staffing levels are optimized for cost efficiency, meeting annual budget goals.
- Loyal customers continue to receive satisfactory service with minimal wait times.
- Managers can shift focus from reactive scheduling to strategic workforce planning.
