Design Tools for Shift Schedules Empowering Assistance for Skilled Designers & Groups

In contrast to most programs for shift scheduling our approach is not based on the definition (of a few) explicit requirements and does not generate schedules automatically. This approach is different in two main issues. First, it does not deal with the vagueness and the ambiguity of real world requirements as neglectable shortcomings of pure scheduling problems. On the contrary, these features often allow better solutions (e.g., by considering organizational changes). This let us to requirement handling by design and participatory planning. Second, we give the schedulers a much more active and responsible role. We try hard to support designers to take into account whatever they consider to be important and let them use their experience, their tacit knowledge and their creativity. The system makes design options visible, reduces tedious work and eases assessment. The SHIFT-PLAN-ASSISTANT (SPA) and the PREANALYSIS-TOOLS were developed in intense cooperation with professional designers in the tradition of work-oriented design. They are in successful use in several companies and in consultancy. Designers appreciate the efficiency and effective design process, especially the transparency of design options. Evaluation shows significant time-savings of the overall design process. The approach, the systems, first experiences and implications are discussed. A new approach and a system for computer-supported shift scheduling are presented. It successfully improves schedule-design within all the obstacles of real-life planning.