RotaPlan assists in the development of shift rota patterns and rosters up to 53 weeks in length.

The first step is to define the shifts and manning levels required within each skill grouping, by weekday, for each distinct demand period through the period for which the roster is required.  

The calculation of the number of full-time employees required in the staff grouping is made, for a given average number of hours per week and any cover required for annual and bank holidays. 

The construction of alternative rotas for each period is facilitated by the 35 pre-defined patterns.  Alternatively a pattern can be built to the user's specification. 

For example, a pattern based on 4 on 4 off with 12-hour shifts and rotation from Days to Nights is illustrated below:

The second example - for another period of the year where demand is lower - deploys to a 3 on 3 off pattern with 12-hour shifts and rotation from Days to Nights, as illustrated below:

A comparison of the modelled rotas and the calculated requirement indicates if and where refinement or re-working is necessary.

The cost of the rotas is achieved by costing each worked hour utilising a user-definable "unsocial matrix" such as:

    Click image to expand

From this an "unsocial multiplier" is calculated which is applied to the basic hourly pay rates for the given working arrangement.

The rotas can then be rolled out into a roster, adjusted for fairness (e.g. equal numbers of hours p.a., Sundays worked etc.).

Individual roster calendars are available, and can be printed and distributed easily.

Following consultation and agreement the rotas can be exported to a time and attendance system for day-to-day monitoring and control.