Resource Proficiency

Resource proficiency allows you to model how efficiently different resources can complete specific jobs. A senior technician might complete a complex repair 20% faster than a junior, while a specialist might be 30% slower at tasks outside their expertise. This directly affects the effective job duration and scheduling.

When to Use Proficiency

Proficiency is ideal when you want to:

Model skill levels that affect completion time (senior vs junior technicians)
Account for training and learning curves for new employees
Handle specialization trade-offs (fast at core tasks, slower at peripheral ones)
Get more accurate completion time predictions
Optimize schedules based on actual resource efficiency

How It Works

Each job can have a proficiency list that defines how the job duration changes when assigned to specific resources:

durationModifier < 1.0: Resource completes the job faster (e.g., 0.8 = 20% faster)
durationModifier = 1.0: Standard duration (default for unlisted resources)
durationModifier > 1.0: Resource completes the job slower (e.g., 1.5 = 50% slower)

The effective job duration is calculated as:

effective_duration = base_duration * durationModifier

Basic Example

In this example, a complex repair job has different completion times depending on which technician is assigned:

request

{
  "resources": [
    {
      "name": "senior-tech",
      "start": {"latitude": 51.05, "longitude": 3.72},
      "shifts": [{
        "from": "2024-01-15T08:00:00Z",
        "to": "2024-01-15T17:00:00Z"
      }]
    },
    {
      "name": "junior-tech",
      "start": {"latitude": 51.05, "longitude": 3.72},
      "shifts": [{
        "from": "2024-01-15T08:00:00Z",
        "to": "2024-01-15T17:00:00Z"
      }]
    }
  ],
  "jobs": [
    {
      "name": "complex-repair",
      "duration": 7200,
      "location": {"latitude": 51.06, "longitude": 3.73},
      "proficiency": [
        {
          "resource": "senior-tech",
          "durationModifier": 0.75
        },
        {
          "resource": "junior-tech",
          "durationModifier": 1.5
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

In this example:

The base duration is 7200 seconds (2 hours)
If assigned to senior-tech: 7200 * 0.75 = 5400 seconds (1.5 hours)
If assigned to junior-tech: 7200 * 1.5 = 10800 seconds (3 hours)

Resources not listed in the proficiency array use the default durationModifier of 1.0 (no modification to duration).

Use Cases

Skill-Based Efficiency

Model how expertise affects job completion time:

{
  "jobs": [
    {
      "name": "electrical-panel-installation",
      "duration": 10800,
      "tags": [{"name": "electrical", "hard": true}],
      "proficiency": [
        {"resource": "master-electrician", "durationModifier": 0.7},
        {"resource": "journeyman", "durationModifier": 1.0},
        {"resource": "apprentice", "durationModifier": 1.3}
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Training and Learning Curve

Account for experience levels as employees learn:

{
  "jobs": [
    {
      "name": "equipment-setup",
      "duration": 3600,
      "proficiency": [
        {"resource": "experienced-tech", "durationModifier": 0.8},
        {"resource": "new-hire-week-1", "durationModifier": 2.0},
        {"resource": "new-hire-week-4", "durationModifier": 1.3}
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Specialization Trade-offs

Model specialists who are fast at certain tasks but slower at others:

{
  "jobs": [
    {
      "name": "plumbing-repair",
      "duration": 5400,
      "proficiency": [
        {"resource": "plumber", "durationModifier": 0.8},
        {"resource": "generalist", "durationModifier": 1.2}
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "electrical-work",
      "duration": 5400,
      "proficiency": [
        {"resource": "plumber", "durationModifier": 1.4},
        {"resource": "generalist", "durationModifier": 1.0}
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Combining with Other Features

With Rankings

Use proficiency for efficiency and rankings for preference. A resource might be fast but not preferred:

{
  "name": "specialized-task",
  "duration": 7200,
  "proficiency": [
    {"resource": "specialist", "durationModifier": 0.6}
  ],
  "rankings": [
    {"name": "specialist", "ranking": 1},
    {"name": "generalist", "ranking": 50}
  ]
}

With Tags (Hard Constraints)

Ensure only qualified resources can do the job, then optimize by proficiency:

{
  "name": "certified-work",
  "duration": 5400,
  "tags": [{"name": "certification-required", "hard": true}],
  "proficiency": [
    {"resource": "senior-certified", "durationModifier": 0.8},
    {"resource": "junior-certified", "durationModifier": 1.1}
  ]
}

With Time Windows

Proficiency affects whether jobs fit within time constraints. A job that doesn’t fit in a time window with one resource might fit when assigned to a faster resource:

{
  "name": "time-sensitive-job",
  "duration": 3600,
  "windows": [{
    "from": "2024-01-15T14:00:00Z",
    "to": "2024-01-15T15:30:00Z"
  }],
  "proficiency": [
    {"resource": "fast-worker", "durationModifier": 0.8}
  ]
}

A 1-hour job with a 0.8 modifier becomes 48 minutes, potentially fitting into a window that would be too tight for standard duration.

Best Practices

Base duration on average: Set the base duration as the average completion time, then adjust with proficiency modifiers above and below 1.0.
Only specify deviations: You only need to list resources whose proficiency differs from 1.0. Resources not in the list default to standard duration.
Combine with rankings: Use proficiency for duration accuracy and rankings to express preference. A fast resource isn’t always the preferred choice.
Validate modifiers: Ensure modifiers are realistic. Values below 0.5 or above 2.0 may indicate the base duration needs adjustment.
Consider scheduling impact: Remember that proficiency affects departure times and all downstream scheduling. A 50% faster job creates 50% more slack time.

Technical Notes

The modifier is applied to the base duration before other adjustments (like durationSquash)
The effective duration affects departure time calculations and downstream scheduling
Resources must be referenced by their exact name as defined in the resources list

Resource Ranking

Express resource preferences without affecting duration

Tags & Skills

Hard and soft skill constraints

Time Windows

Schedule jobs within specific time periods

Job Complexity

Balance workload by difficulty

Platform

VRP API

Fill API

When to Use Proficiency

How It Works

Basic Example

Use Cases

Skill-Based Efficiency

Training and Learning Curve

Specialization Trade-offs

Combining with Other Features

With Rankings

With Tags (Hard Constraints)

With Time Windows

Best Practices

Technical Notes

Resource Ranking

Tags & Skills

Time Windows

Job Complexity

​When to Use Proficiency

​How It Works

​Basic Example

​Use Cases

​Skill-Based Efficiency

​Training and Learning Curve

​Specialization Trade-offs

​Combining with Other Features

​With Rankings

​With Tags (Hard Constraints)

​With Time Windows

​Best Practices

​Technical Notes

​Related Features

Resource Ranking

Tags & Skills

Time Windows

Job Complexity

When to Use Proficiency

How It Works

Basic Example

Use Cases

Skill-Based Efficiency

Training and Learning Curve

Specialization Trade-offs

Combining with Other Features

With Rankings

With Tags (Hard Constraints)

With Time Windows

Best Practices

Technical Notes

Related Features