Shift requirements:
Can be defined separately for each day of the week.
Or, if the same requirements apply, multiple days can be selected and entered collectively.
Total Staff Requirements
In this section, the total number of staff required for the shift is defined.
This value includes all staff assigned to the shift.
(The sum of staff belonging to groups and those not belonging to any specific group.)
The total requirement can be defined in two different ways:
Min / Max
The minimum and maximum number of staff who can work in the shift is defined.
Example: Minimum 9 – Maximum 10 staffWhen the total staff requirement is defined as Min / Max, the scheduling algorithm prioritizes achieving the maximum value whenever possible.
(For example: If Min 9 – Max 10 is entered, the algorithm prioritizes 10 staff.)To satisfy scheduling rules, in cases where no feasible solution is found, the algorithm may schedule one fewer staff member than the selected minimum requirement.
(For example: If Min 9 – Max 10 is entered, 8 staff may be selected to find a feasible solution.)
Exact
An exact number of staff must always work in the shift.
Example: Exact 6 staffTo satisfy scheduling rules, in cases where no feasible solution is found, the algorithm may relax the exact requirement by scheduling one fewer staff member.
(For example: If Exact 6 is entered, 5 staff may be selected to find a feasible solution.)
General Rule
In general, when the staff requirement is defined as Min 1 or Exact 1, this value cannot be relaxed to 0; at least 1 staff member must be scheduled for the relevant shift.
Group-Based Staff Requirements
If staff groups are defined in the department, group-based requirement conditions can be added in this section.
There are four different options for each group:
No Condition
There is no specific obligation for this group.
Group members are included in the total staff requirements, but their number is not separately limited.
Exclude
Staff in this group must not work in the relevant shift.
Excluded group members are completely excluded from the scheduling process for this shift.
Technically, this option produces the same result as defining Exact 0 or Min 0 – Max 0; however, it is presented as a separate option for usability and clarity.
Exact
A specific number of staff from this group must work in the shift.
Min / Max
The minimum and maximum number of staff from this group who can work in the shift is defined.
In group-based Min / Max definitions, unlike the total staff requirement, the maximum value is not forced. The maximum value is used only when necessary to satisfy the total staff requirement.
No flexibility is applied to group requirements. Both Min / Max and Exact requirements defined for groups are strictly enforced, and minimum or exact values are not relaxed.
Example Scenario (For a Specific Day)
Total Staff Requirement
Min: 9
Max: 10
Group Requirements
Group A: Exact 1
Group B: Min 2 – Max 3
This configuration means:
Exactly 1 staff from Group A must work.
(It cannot be 0 or 2.)From Group B, at least 2 and at most 3 staff can work.
(It cannot be 1 or 4.)The total number of staff (including Group A, Group B, and ungrouped staff) must be between 9 and 10. The algorithm prioritizes a 10-staff solution; depending on scheduling constraints, planning may also be completed with 9 staff. If necessary, to satisfy scheduling rules, flexibility may be applied to ungrouped staff and a solution may be generated with 8 staff. There is no flexibility in group-based staff requirements.