Optimizing Staff Scheduling with Labor Forecasting

Getting Started with Labor Forecasting

Enabling Labor Forecasting

1. Access Settings:

   • Navigate to the Setup menu.

   • Select Configuration from the menu on the right.

2. Enable Feature:

   • Click the General tab on the right and select the General icon.

   • Check the box to enable labor forecasting.

   • Click Done and restart the system to apply changes.

Creating a Labor Forecast

1. Open Forecasting Tool:

   • Go to the Tools menu and select Schedule.

2. Set Forecast Period:

   • Choose the date range for which you want to forecast labor demand.

   • Ensure the end date is entered before the start date.

3. Select Comparison Period:

   • Use past data from a similar timeframe for accurate forecasting.

   • Match the number of days in both the forecast and comparison periods.

4. Apply Uplift Percentage (Optional):

   • Enter an uplift percentage to account for expected business growth.

   • Example: For a 10% expected increase, enter "10%".

5. Compute Forecast:

   • Click Compute to generate results.

Interpreting Forecast Results

Viewing Demand Data

• Appointment Demand: Shows forecasted demand for scheduled appointments.

• Walk-in Demand: Displays forecasted demand for unscheduled visits.

Color-Coded Graphs

• Red: High demand exceeds staff availability—consider adding shifts.

• Orange: Slightly higher demand than available staff—review and adjust.

• Green: Staff availability meets demand—ideal scenario.

• Blue: Staff exceeds demand—consider reducing shifts.

Optimizing Walk-In Demand Forecasts

1. Set Wait Time Preferences:

   • Go to Setup > Configuration.

   • Select General, then Walk-in.

2. Define Wait Times:

   • Enter your Optimal Wait Time (e.g., 10 minutes).

   • Enter your Maximum Wait Time.

3. Save Changes:

   • Click Done to apply settings.

These preferences ensure forecasts optimize staff availability based on client wait-time expectations.

Making Adjustments Based on Forecasts

• Review the roster and make adjustments to shifts based on the forecast data.

• Increase staff during high-demand periods (red or orange bars).

• Reduce staff during low-demand periods (blue bars).

• Regularly revisit forecasts to keep staffing aligned with changing demand patterns.

Key Benefits of Labor Forecasting

• Efficiency: Prevents overstaffing and understaffing.

• Customer Satisfaction: Optimizes wait times for walk-ins.

• Flexibility: Allows adjustments to accommodate business growth or changes in demand.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Uses historical data to make accurate predictions.