Rostering schedules can cause both anguish and pleasure, often falling far short of expectations for both staff preferences and in meeting customer demand.
Advanced roster scheduling software like Humanforce has provided exceptional improvements in the rostering procedure for many businesses, including cutting the process to hours instead of days. Scheduling automation considers multiple variables, producing rosters that fulfill expectations across the board, smoothing out issues like incorrect staffing levels, resulting in less change requests and fewer unexpected wage blowouts and allowing better visibility and accessibility of the roster for all staff.
To fully optimise the implementation of scheduling software, take some time to evaluate your current processes by going through the following steps:
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Identify Current Issues
Evaluate rostering issues that are frequently arising. These can include:
- Over or under rostering
- Filling shifts at multiple locations
- Lack of roster visibility
- Shift changes going through the manager
- Staff metrics on a separate platform
- Keeping track of flexible working agreements, staff preferences and part-time hours
2. Set Strategic Goals
Once these frequently occurring issues have been identified, you can now set some strategic goals for your company. Goals may include ensuring skilled and experienced staff are available for each shift, staff get their requested hours and days off per week and wage budgets are adhered to. Meeting staff expectation is important. Discontent around rosters can lead to missed shifts, resignations and ultimately dissatisfied customers.
3. Analyse Internal Structure
Once you have identified your scheduling issues and set your strategic goals, you can then analyse your internal structure for potential adjustments. Your review should examine factors such as staff retention and absenteeism, whether high demand shifts are being staffed adequately, how break times are being managed and whether time is being allocated to staff training.
4. Create an Action Plan
You are now ready to create your action plan and to evaluate which rostering scheduling software package will be most suitable for your needs. Your action plan may include scheduling in training, changes in staffing requirements, establishing communication channels and escalation policies. Consult with the executive team if changes to employee shifts and the management hierarchy are required.
If you are already using rostering software, if may be time for an upgrade. Technology is continually advancing and new products are always becoming available that will offer new features that your current software does not provide.
5. Implement New Decisions
Implementation of your action plan starts with the roll-out of your new rostering software package. Input your variables and parameters and then let the automation do its thing. Communicate the improvements to the scheduling process to all staff and ensure they are provided with portal access straight away. Make use of your software’s customer support if you require it.
Once your rostering schedule software is in place, reduced requests for changes, well- staffed shifts and improved customer satisfaction will provide all the feedback you need that choosing a package like Humanforce has streamlined your rostering scheduling process into a well-oiled, successful machine.
