> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.solvice.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Scheduling Framework
> Hierarchical planning levels from strategic budgeting to operational execution
The Solvice Scheduling Framework provides a comprehensive approach to workforce optimization across five interconnected planning levels. Each level feeds into the next, creating a seamless flow from high-level strategy to day-to-day operations.
## Planning Hierarchy
**Level: Strategic** | **Horizon: Annual/Quarterly**
Define overall workforce capacity and budget constraints. This foundational level determines:
* Total headcount and FTE allocations
* Budget constraints for labor costs
* Skill mix requirements
* Seasonal capacity adjustments
**Level: Tactical** | **Horizon: Monthly/Weekly**
Predict workload requirements based on historical patterns and business drivers:
* Customer demand patterns
* Service level targets
* Peak period identification
* Capacity planning inputs
**Level: Tactical** | **Horizon: Weekly**
Generate optimal shift structures to meet forecasted demand using the **Create API**:
* Convert demand curves into concrete shifts
* Balance coverage requirements with labor costs
* Apply template patterns or flexible generation
* Ensure minimum/maximum staffing levels
Automatically generate shifts from demand forecasts
**Level: Operational** | **Horizon: Daily/Weekly**
Assign employees to created shifts using the **Fill API**:
* Match employee skills to shift requirements
* Enforce labor regulations and rest periods
* Respect employee preferences and availability
* Balance workload fairly across the workforce
Optimize employee-to-shift assignments
**Level: Operational** | **Horizon: Daily**
Optimize task execution order using the **VRP API**:
* Route field workers efficiently
* Schedule appointments within time windows
* Balance workloads across resources
* Minimize travel time and costs
Optimize routes and task sequences
## Framework Benefits
Each planning level optimizes within constraints set by higher levels, ensuring strategic alignment throughout operations.
Budget constraints flow to demand planning, demand drives shift creation, and shifts define the assignment problem.
Operational outcomes inform tactical and strategic adjustments, creating continuous improvement cycles.
Consistent API design across all levels simplifies integration and enables holistic optimization.
## Solver Mapping
Each planning level maps to specific Solvice APIs:
| Planning Level | Horizon | Solvice API | Primary Output |
| :------------------ | :----------- | :--------------- | :------------------- |
| Labour Budgeting | Annual | External systems | Headcount, Budget |
| Demand Forecasting | Monthly | External systems | Demand curves |
| **Shift Creation** | Weekly | **Create API** | Shift templates |
| **Shift Filling** | Daily/Weekly | **Fill API** | Employee assignments |
| **Task Sequencing** | Daily | **VRP API** | Optimized routes |
Labour budgeting and demand forecasting are typically handled by external HR and BI systems. Solvice APIs focus on the execution layers where optimization delivers the highest operational value.
## Data Flow
```mermaid theme={null}
graph TD
A[Labour Budget] --> B[Demand Forecast]
B --> C[Shift Creation]
C --> D[Shift Filling]
D --> E[Task Sequencing]
C -.-> |Feedback| B
D -.-> |Feedback| C
E -.-> |Feedback| D
```
### Integration Points
The Create API accepts demand curves and generates shifts that provide optimal coverage:
```json theme={null}
{
"demands": [
{
"name": "morning-rush",
"from": "2024-01-15T08:00:00",
"to": "2024-01-15T12:00:00",
"min": 5,
"max": 8
}
],
"templates": [...],
"options": { "mode": "FLEXIBLE" }
}
```
The Fill API takes created shifts and assigns available employees:
```json theme={null}
{
"shifts": [
{
"name": "morning-kitchen",
"from": "2024-01-15T08:00:00",
"to": "2024-01-15T14:00:00",
"skills": [{ "name": "kitchen" }]
}
],
"employees": [...],
"rules": [...]
}
```
The VRP API optimizes daily task execution for assigned workers:
```json theme={null}
{
"vehicles": [
{
"id": "alice",
"startLocation": { "lat": 51.05, "lng": 3.72 },
"availability": { "from": "08:00", "to": "14:00" }
}
],
"jobs": [...],
"objectives": [{ "type": "min-max", "value": "duration" }]
}
```
## Industry Applications
**Home Health Care Scheduling**
1. **Budget**: Annual nursing FTE allocations per region
2. **Demand**: Patient visit requirements and acuity levels
3. **Shifts**: Nurse shift schedules covering all regions
4. **Fill**: Assign nurses based on skills and certifications
5. **Route**: Optimize daily visit sequences with travel time
Solvice delivers 15-25% reduction in travel time while ensuring skill-matched assignments.
**Store Workforce Management**
1. **Budget**: Labor cost targets per location
2. **Demand**: Customer traffic patterns and transaction forecasts
3. **Shifts**: Generate shifts matching demand curves
4. **Fill**: Assign staff respecting availability and preferences
5. **Route**: Optimize stock replenishment and task assignments
Achieve optimal coverage during peak hours while minimizing overstaffing.
**Technician Dispatch**
1. **Budget**: Service capacity and contractor budgets
2. **Demand**: Work order forecasts and SLA requirements
3. **Shifts**: On-call and regular shift schedules
4. **Fill**: Match technician skills to work order types
5. **Route**: Minimize travel, maximize appointments per day
Increase daily appointments by 20% through intelligent routing.
**Restaurant Staff Scheduling**
1. **Budget**: Labor percentage targets
2. **Demand**: Reservation and walk-in forecasts
3. **Shifts**: Kitchen, floor, and bar shift templates
4. **Fill**: Assign based on skills, preferences, and labor rules
5. **Route**: Optimize prep and service task sequences
Balance coverage requirements with employee preferences and labor regulations.
## Getting Started
Most organizations begin with the Fill API to optimize existing shift assignments:
Assign employees to shifts in minutes
Once filling is optimized, add automated shift generation:
Generate shifts from demand forecasts
For field operations, add route optimization:
Optimize daily routes and schedules
## Next Steps
Employee-to-shift assignment optimization
Automated shift generation from demand
Route and schedule optimization
Unified API design and architecture