Built-in Rules: Many Rules are built into Call Scheduler, such as:

• Do not schedule a Provider who is on vacation or has the day off.
• Do not schedule a Provider for any Job not selected for them in their Provider Properties.
• Spread the Call Job assignments as far apart a possible unless the job is a day-string, or a rule applies.
• Balance all call assignments as fairly and evenly as possible, unless designated otherwise.
• Even all tallies unless designated otherwise.
• Schedule Holidays first, then DayTypes selected for each Job.

Rule-Makers: It may be that your scheduling is so complex that the Built-in Rules that apply to routine scheduling are not sufficient for your needs. The Rule-Maker feature allows you to accommodate several additional scheduling functions. Some of these functions may be things that you have always done by convention in your Group but never actually formalized. The Rule-Makers allow you to install these additional functions into your Scheduling Assistant.

Currently, there are 4 Rule-Makers available. Each is equipped with modular drop down menus to assist you. You can create several Rules using any of the Rule-Makers, but remember to always try to simplify as much as possible. Each Rule that you create is added to the list at the bottom of this screen. Once created and saved, any rule will subsequently always be used by the Scheduling Assistant. In the spirit of simplified scheduling, remember that since manual scheduling adjustments are so quick and easy, you may not have to create an Schedule Assistant Rule to govern some minor scheduling quirk.

Directions!

Before creating any Rules with the Rule-Makers, be sure to thoroughly "map out" your complete scheduling process in detailed steps. If you do this correctly, any other scheduler should be able to create an accurate schedule for your Group 
using your Scheduling Map as a guide. Be sure to write down even those very minute details that you previously kept in your head. You know that your Providers often place a very high priority on these very minor details. You may do better to using Manual Scheduling to make some of these adjustments. We suggest that you try it both ways if you are uncertain or ask us to assist you.

The Rule-Makers are found under the second icon from the left, "Scheduling", select Scheduling Assistant, Rules.

These  Rules will “over-ride” the Built-in Rules of Call-Scheduler. As Scheduler, you always have the power to edit the schedule by tweaking at any stage of scheduling.

1. Rule 1: If a Provider without the ...[Select a Skill]... is scheduled for ...[Select a Job]...then another Provider must also be scheduled for ...[Select a Job]... for that day.

2. Rule 2: If ...[Select a Provider]... is scheduled for ...[Select a Job] on ...[Select/Any Day]... then he/she is also scheduled for ...[Select a Job]... on that same day.

3. Rule 3. If ...[Select a Provider]... is scheduled for ...[Select a Job]... on ...[Select/Any Day]... then he/she is also scheduled for ...[Select a Job]... for the next ...[select number]... days.

4. Rule 4: If ...[Select a Provider]... is scheduled for ...[Select a Job]... on ...[Select/Any Day]... then he/she is also scheduled for ...[Select a Job]... on the [previous/next Select Day]....

To check the results of your rule making, run Scheduling Assistant in a year not currently in use, maybe two years ahead of the current year. This will give you a schedule without affecting your current one, where Providers are unlikely to view it, and will be easy to “unschedule” to try again until you get the rules operating just the way you want them.

If your Group needs a rule not covered by the 4 Rule-Maker Templates, please let us know so that we can keep up with the needs of our front-line schedulers. If your Rule is very unusual, and no other option or work-around exists, then call us about custom programming.