Working Patterns

Overview

Working Patterns define when Contacts are available for training by modeling their working hours over a repeating schedule.

These patterns help ensure that training is scheduled at times when the highest number of learners are available.

Working Patterns are configured in the Control Panel under the System section.

How it works

A Working Pattern defines a repeating schedule made up of:

• Period — the length of the cycle (for example, 7 days or 14 days)
• Shifts — working hours assigned to specific days within the cycle
• Rotations — start dates that determine how the pattern aligns for each Contact

Contacts are assigned a rotation, which determines where they fall within the pattern and therefore when they are available for training.

Create a Working Pattern

To create a Working Pattern:

1. Name the Working Pattern. Use a short, descriptive name that identifies the group of Contacts who will use it.
2. Add a description. This helps other administrators understand the purpose of the pattern.
3. Define the period. This determines how long the pattern runs before repeating (for example, 7 days).
4. Assign an Account (optional). If assigned to the Root Account, the pattern is available to all child Accounts.
5. Create shifts. Define working hours within the period:
   • Set the start day for each shift
   • Define start and end times
   • Use + Add Shift to add additional days
   • Use the – icon to remove a shift
6. Define rotations. Rotations determine when the pattern begins for each Contact:
   • Name rotations clearly and uniquely
   • Use + Add Rotation to create multiple start options
   • Rotations can be used as filters in Objective Registration (Beta) 

Assign a Working Pattern Rotation

Once a Working Pattern is created, assign a rotation to each Contact to define their availability.

1. Edit the Contact.
2. Select a Working Pattern Rotation from the dropdown.
3. Click Save.

The selected rotation determines how the Contact aligns with the working pattern.

Working Pattern Examples

Example: Standard weekly pattern

A 7-day Working Pattern that repeats weekly. If the rotation starts on a Monday, the pattern will always repeat on a Monday.

Example: Fortnightly rotating day/night pattern

A 14-day pattern alternating between day and night shifts:

• A Contact starting on one week begins on the day shift
• A Contact starting the following week begins on the night shift

Best practices

• Keep pattern names simple and descriptive.
• Use rotations to handle staggered schedules instead of duplicating patterns.
• Model real-world shift structures as closely as possible.
• Test scheduling outcomes to confirm availability behaves as expected.