How do I set up and apply an availability pattern?

Creating and applying availability patterns requires (self) scheduler privileges (or above).

Many stations work in teams with availability patterns. The pattern should be defined once and can then be applied to team members for extended periods of time. Remember that availability patterns are not the same as duty patterns. Availability refers to GREEN AVAILABILITY, and duty patterns refers to BLUE SHIFTS.

If you are interested in building duty patterns you can click HERE.

1) How to define an availability pattern?

The first step is to create an example member to replicate his availability. Use any member of a team on the Exceptions rota to assign available periods (always starting the next Monday). You can also make the draft on the group rota directly.

See below an example of a 24 on - 48 off tour.

If the pattern has more than one week to be completed. You can select the week(s) you need using the arrows next to the calendar icon < >

Don't forget to click 'Save'.

Once the availability is selected, a template can be created through the 'Rota' --> 'Duty Template Planning' menu, select the new pattern tab. Fill in the form as shown below:

Remember the dates you applied the draft for, and also keep in mind the draft can be made on the exceptions rota or directly on the group rota.

Click 'Save' to use the pattern.

2) How to apply the pattern?

Going into the 'Rota' --> 'Duty Template Pattern' again but now under the duty template plannings tab, you can now select the pattern you created. Once selected it can be applied to all or various crew members for an extended period of time. Important: Check the box for Exception schedule because we are looking to green availability not blue shifts. 

Note that the 'Planning period' is the period the template will be applied to. This period will be wiped clean of any pre-existing availability and the new pattern will be applied.

Press save and the template will be applied to the group rota.