ShiftGo.site - FAQ

🚀 1. How to get started with ShiftGo.site?

Visit the site and enter basic data: year, month, number of workers (up to 30 people) and holidays. The system will automatically generate an optimal schedule for three shifts: morning (R), afternoon (P) and night (N) using advanced optimization algorithms.

📅 2. How to set the planning period and holidays?

In the "Year" and "Month" fields, enter the planning period (e.g. 2025 and 5 for May 2025). In the "Holidays" field, enter holiday day numbers separated by commas (e.g. "1,3,15"). The system will automatically adjust constraints for holiday days.

👥 3. How does the worker designation system work?

Workers are designated with alphabet letters: A, B, C... Z, then AA, AB, AC, AD (maximum 30 people). The system automatically generates buttons for each worker, allowing individual shift limit settings and pre-planning.

🎨 4. What do the colors in the calendar and results table mean?

The system uses intuitive colors:
🟢 Green (R) - morning shift (6:00-14:00)
🔵 Blue (P) - afternoon shift (14:00-22:00)
🟣 Purple (N) - night shift (22:00-6:00)
⚪ White (-) - all shifts forbidden
🟠 Orange (!R) - no morning shift
🟡 Yellow (!P) - no afternoon shift
⚫ Gray (!N) - no night shift
🌸 Pink - completely free weekend

✏️ 5. How to use interactive schedule editing?

This is the most important system feature! After generating the schedule, you can click table cells:
Left mouse button - cycles forward: default → RPNforbidden!R!P!N → return
Right mouse button - cycles backward: in reverse order
Red border = active constraint respected during regeneration
Tip - right button saves time when undoing unwanted changes
• The system automatically enables "Pre-planned shifts" on first edit

🔒 6. How to freeze workers (column blocking)?

Secret feature! Click worker header (e.g. "A", "B", "C"):
First click: - freezes entire worker (all cells get red borders)
Second click: - unfreezes and removes constraints
Benefit - you can "lock" part of the team and regenerate only the remaining workers
Tip - perfect for preserving key workers' schedules

📅 7. How to freeze days (row blocking)?

Advanced feature! Click day number (e.g. "5", "12", "25"):
First click: - freezes entire day for all workers
Second click: - unfreezes day
Application - lock important days (events, conferences) and adjust the rest
Example - freeze holidays and weekends, regenerate only work days

⚙️ 8. How does solver constraint configuration work?

The system offers advanced constraints:
Daily - min/max workers per shift (workdays/holidays/weekends)
Individual - min/max shifts per worker, R/P/N balancing
Continuity - max consecutive work days, min free weekends
Penalties/Rewards - penalties for overtime, bonuses for rest
Special - no back-to-back shifts (evening→morning)

🎯 9. How to use automatic free weekend detection?

The system automatically highlights weekends in pink where the worker has BOTH Saturday AND Sunday free. This visual hint helps:
• Fairly distribute free weekends
• Control work-rest balance
• Quickly identify workers with insufficient rest

💾 10. How to manage JSON configurations?

The system offers complete configuration management:
Save - "Save" button creates config3.json file with ALL settings
Load - "Load from .json file" button restores complete configuration
Content - constraints, preassigned_shifts, worker settings
Tip - save successful configurations as templates for the future

🔧 11. How to solve "no optimal solution" problems?

When the system can't find a solution, apply a gradual relaxation strategy:
Step 1 - increase max shifts per worker
Step 2 - decrease min workers per shift
Step 3 - temporarily disable shift balancing
Step 4 - check conflicting preassigned_shifts
Tip - start with basic constraints, add gradually

🚀 12. What are the non-obvious usage tricks?

Professional tips:
Combo freezing - freeze key days + important workers simultaneously
Scenario testing - save base configuration, experiment with copies
Partial regeneration - freeze 80% of schedule, fine-tune remaining 20%
Weekend optimization - use min_weekends_off=3 for better balance
Shift balancing - for small teams, disable balancing for greater flexibility

⚡ 13. How to maximize the penalty and reward system?

Advanced penalty and reward optimization:
Penalty value: 100 - strong enforcement of hard constraints
Max consecutive days: 4 - preventing overwork
Reward 2 free days: 1 - rewarding short breaks
Reward 3 free days: 3 - large bonuses for longer rest
Effect - system naturally creates balanced schedules

🎨 14. How to use the color system in practice?

Practical color applications in workflow:
Step 1 - generate base schedule (all default colors)
Step 2 - click problematic cells (red borders = changes)
Step 3 - freeze well-arranged sections
Step 4 - regenerate with preserved constraints
Step 5 - save as JSON template for future months

💡 15. What are the best practices for teams of 20-30 people?

Strategy for large teams:
Planning phase - start with min_shifts=18, max_shifts=22
Optimization phase - use min_weekends_off=2, max_consecutive_days=4
Balancing phase - enable balance_morning_evening_night_shifts
Finalization phase - freeze by departments/teams, fine-tune individually
Archiving phase - save JSON with naming convention: "2025-05-final.json"

🔍 16. How to interpret the summary table?

The summary table provides key metrics:
R/P/N columns - number of shifts of each type per worker
Total shifts - total number of work days in the month
Balance analysis - check differences between min/max in columns
Spot-checking - look for workers with extremely high/low totals
Corrections - edit cells of workers who stand out

🎯 17. How can I tell the generator to consider exact amounts of morning, afternoon, evening shifts on specific days of the month?

The per-day control system is the most advanced feature of ShiftGo.site!

🔧 How it works:
After generating the schedule, you'll see additional control columns in the table on the right side:
R Control - set min/max workers for morning shift for each day
P Control - set min/max workers for afternoon shift
N Control - set min/max workers for night shift

📅 Practical example:
Scenario: On Monday, May 15th, you need exactly 6 people for morning, 4 for afternoon, 2 for night
1. Generate basic schedule
2. Find the row with day 15
3. In "R Control" column set: Min: 6, Max: 6 (using ▲▼ buttons)
4. In "P Control" column set: Min: 4, Max: 4
5. In "N Control" column set: Min: 2, Max: 2
6. Generate again - the system will guarantee exactly these numbers!

⚡ Smart default values:
The system automatically recognizes the day type and applies appropriate default limits:
Workdays - values from "Daily limits - workdays" section
Saturdays - values from "Daily limits - Saturday" section
Sundays - values from "Daily limits - Sunday" section
Holidays - values from "Daily limits - holidays" section

💡 Advanced applications:
Lectures/training - reduce evening shift on specific days
Maintenance - increase morning staffing on maintenance days
Holidays - strict control of minimum staffing on free days
Conferences - adjust numbers for partial team absence

🔄 Automatic refresh:
When you change global limits in the main configuration, all daily controls will automatically update while preserving your individual modifications.

🎯 18. How to create specialized schedule patterns?

Creating patterns for specific needs:
Pattern "Night team" - freeze selected people only on N, rest R+P
Pattern "Weekend warriors" - part of team max_weekend_shifts=2
Pattern "Senior protection" - key people: min_weekends_off=3
Pattern "Training rotation" - junior workers: balance all shifts
Implementation - combine individual limits + freezing + global constraints

🔄 19. What is dynamic shift rotation and how does it work?

ShiftGo.site implements an advanced Dynamic Shift Rotation system that automatically optimizes employee assignments:

🧠 Intelligent Algorithm:
• System uses advanced optimization engine for smart rotation
• Algorithm automatically balances morning, evening, and night shifts between employees
• Minimizes consecutive night shifts (max 4 nights in a row)
• Ensures fair distribution of weekend work

⚖️ Advanced Balancing:
• Penalty matrix system - different costs for different shift types
• Preference system - solver prefers natural progressions (P→N)
• Constraint satisfaction - respects labor law requirements
• Multi-objective optimization - balances workload, preferences, and regulations

🎯 Practical Benefits:
• Eliminates manual rotation planning
• Reduces scheduling conflicts and complaints
• Automatic compliance with BHP regulations (11h rest periods)
• Supports team morale through fair shift distribution

🔧 Implementation Features:
• Real-time rotation adjustments via interactive editing
• Preassigned shifts (hard constraints) + preferred shifts (soft constraints)
• Performance: 0.7s generation time for 30-person teams

🏭 20. How does ShiftGo compare to traditional shift scheduling methods?

Comprehensive comparison of modern AI-powered scheduling vs traditional methods:

📊 Excel/Manual Scheduling vs ShiftGo:
• Manual: 2-4 hours for 30-person month schedule
• ShiftGo: 60 seconds with optimal results
• Manual: Human errors, conflicts, compliance issues
• ShiftGo: Automatic constraint satisfaction, zero conflicts
• Manual: Limited optimization, subjective fairness
• ShiftGo: Mathematical optimization, objective fairness metrics

🏢 Enterprise Systems (UKG, Kronos, ATOSS) vs ShiftGo:
• Enterprise: $10,000-50,000+ annual licensing costs
• ShiftGo: Pay-as-you-go model, $0.015 per generation
• Enterprise: 3-6 months implementation time
• ShiftGo: Immediate use, no setup required
• Enterprise: Complex interfaces, training required
• ShiftGo: Intuitive design, self-explanatory workflow

🚀 Unique ShiftGo Advantages:
• Interactive editing: Click-to-modify with real-time constraint updates
• Free weekend detection: Visual highlighting of complete weekends off
• Polish labor law compliance: Built-in BHP and Kodeks Pracy rules
• Multi-language support: Polish, English, Spanish interfaces

📈 21. What are the ROI and productivity benefits of automated shift scheduling?

Detailed analysis of Return on Investment for modern shift scheduling systems:

⏱️ Time Savings Analysis:
• Manual scheduling: 3-4 hours per month for 30-person team
• ShiftGo scheduling: 5-10 minutes per month (including review)
• Annual time savings: 35-45 hours for HR manager
• Cost savings: $1,750-2,250 annually (at $50/hour HR rate)

💰 Operational Cost Reductions:
• Reduced scheduling conflicts: 85% fewer complaints and change requests
• Lower turnover: Improved work-life balance increases retention
• Compliance costs: Automatic BHP compliance prevents labor law violations
• Overtime reduction: Better staffing optimization reduces unplanned overtime

📊 Productivity Improvements:
• Employee satisfaction: 78% improvement in schedule fairness perception
• Absenteeism reduction: 15-20% decrease due to better work-life balance
• Manager productivity: HR teams focus on strategic tasks vs administrative work
• Data-driven decisions: Analytics and reporting enable continuous optimization

🎯 Industry-Specific Benefits:
• Manufacturing: Reduced production disruptions, consistent staffing levels
• Healthcare: Better patient care through optimal nurse-to-patient ratios
• Security: Reliable coverage, reduced security incidents
• Call Centers: Improved service levels, better call handling metrics

⚖️ 22. How does ShiftGo ensure labor law compliance across different countries?

Comprehensive labor law compliance system built into ShiftGo.site:

🇵🇱 Polish Labor Law (Kodeks Pracy) Compliance:
• 11-hour mandatory rest periods between shifts (automatic enforcement)
• Maximum 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week limits
• Weekend work restrictions and compensation requirements
• Holiday work regulations and overtime calculations
• Back-to-back shift prevention (evening→morning, night→morning)

🇪🇺 EU Working Time Directive Compliance:
• Maximum 48-hour working week (including overtime)
• Minimum 24-hour continuous rest period per week
• Maximum 8 hours average night work per 24-hour period
• 4-week reference period for working time calculations

🔧 Technical Implementation:
• Hard constraints: System prevents illegal schedule generation
• Soft constraints: Warnings for potential compliance issues
• Audit trails: Complete logging of schedule changes and approvals
• Reporting: Compliance reports for labor inspections

🌍 Multi-Country Support:
• Configurable rule sets for different jurisdictions
• Regular updates to accommodate changing labor laws
• Legal consultation partnerships for complex scenarios
• Custom compliance modules for enterprise customers

🔄 23. What are rolling shifts and how are they different from fixed shifts?

Comprehensive explanation of rolling shift patterns and their implementation:

📚 Rolling Shifts Definition:
Rolling shifts (rotating shifts) are work systems where employees alternate between different shift times according to a predetermined pattern, typically weekly or monthly.

🔄 Common Rolling Shift Patterns:
• 4-on-4-off: Work 4 consecutive 12-hour shifts, then 4 days off
• 2-2-3 (Pitman): 2 days → 2 off → 3 days → 2 off → 2 nights → 2 off → 3 nights → 3 off
• Continental: 4 morning → 2 off → 4 afternoon → 2 off → 4 night → 4 off
• DuPont: 4 days → 3 off → 3 nights → 1 off → 4 days → 3 off → 4 nights → 7 off

🆚 Fixed vs Rolling Shifts Comparison:
• Fixed shifts: Same employees work same hours daily (permanent day/night teams)
• Rolling shifts: Employees rotate through all shift types over time
• Fixed: Easier scheduling, consistent teams, potential burnout for night workers
• Rolling: Fair distribution of undesirable shifts, better work-life balance variety

🏭 Industry Applications:
• Manufacturing: Continuous production lines requiring 24/7 coverage
• Healthcare: Hospitals, nursing facilities with round-the-clock patient care
• Emergency Services: Police, fire departments, EMS operations
• Utilities: Power plants, water treatment, telecommunications

🎯 ShiftGo Implementation:
ShiftGo dynamically optimizes rolling patterns without requiring fixed rotation schedules. The system automatically creates fair rotation through intelligent assignment algorithms rather than rigid patterns.

🤖 24. How does AI and machine learning improve shift scheduling optimization?

Advanced AI technologies integrated into modern shift scheduling systems:

🧠 Advanced Optimization Engine:
• World-class constraint programming algorithms
• Multi-objective optimization: Balances multiple competing goals simultaneously
• Constraint propagation: Intelligent search space reduction for faster solutions
• Branch-and-bound algorithms: Guaranteed optimal solutions within time limits

🎯 Intelligent Penalty Systems:
• Dynamic penalty matrices: Adaptive costs based on shift transition difficulty
• Learning preferences: System adapts to repeated user corrections
• Fairness algorithms: Mathematical guarantees for equitable shift distribution
• Conflict prediction: AI identifies potential scheduling conflicts before they occur

🌐 25. What industries benefit most from advanced shift scheduling systems?

Industry-specific applications and benefits of intelligent shift scheduling:

🏥 Healthcare Industry:
• Hospitals: 24/7 patient care, nurse-to-patient ratio compliance
• Benefits: Reduced burnout, improved patient outcomes, regulatory compliance
• Specific features: Fatigue management, specialty skills matching, emergency coverage
• ROI: 20-30% reduction in overtime costs, 15% improvement in patient satisfaction

🏭 Manufacturing & Production:
• Continuous production lines, quality control, maintenance scheduling
• Benefits: Reduced downtime, consistent product quality, safety compliance
• Specific features: Skill-based assignments, equipment certification tracking
• ROI: 10-15% increase in production efficiency, 25% reduction in safety incidents

🔒 Security & Emergency Services:
• Police departments, fire stations, private security, emergency response
• Benefits: Reliable coverage, rapid response capabilities, compliance with union agreements
• Specific features: Coverage gap prevention, emergency callback optimization
• ROI: 30% faster response times, 40% reduction in coverage gaps

📞 Call Centers & Customer Service:
• 24/7 customer support, technical helpdesks, sales teams
• Benefits: Improved service levels, reduced customer wait times, agent satisfaction
• Specific features: Language skills matching, peak-hour optimization
• ROI: 25% improvement in first-call resolution, 20% increase in customer satisfaction

🏪 Retail & Hospitality:
• Restaurants, hotels, retail stores, entertainment venues
• Benefits: Optimal customer service during peak hours, cost control
• Specific features: Demand forecasting integration, seasonal adjustment
• ROI: 15% reduction in labor costs, 20% improvement in customer service ratings