Reading Scheduling Results
How to understand and choose from the scheduling options
After running the scheduler, you'll see a list of available time slots. This guide helps you understand and choose the best option.
Results Overview
The results page shows:
- Slot options - Available time slots ranked by efficiency
- Timeline visualization - Visual breakdown of each slot
- Metrics - Duration, travel time, and workload information
- Load More - Options to see additional slots
Understanding Slot Options
The "Best" Option
The first slot is marked as Best - it has the lowest cost score.
But "best" mathematically isn't always best for your situation. Consider:
- Customer preferences for specific times
- Other scheduled work that day
- Team member expertise
Always review options before selecting.
Cost Score
Each slot has a cost score (e.g., "2.4"):
- Lower is better - More efficient scheduling
- Factors in travel distance, date proximity, and work grouping
- Use as a guide, not an absolute rule
Metrics Explained
Slot Information
| Metric | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Date | When the work would be scheduled |
| Time | Start and end time |
| Execution | Hours of actual work |
| Travel | Minutes to reach the location |
Working Hours Indicator
Some slots show workload information:
| Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Utilization % | How full the day would be after adding this slot |
| Overtime warning | Slot would push into overtime period |
Tip: If you see an overtime warning, consider choosing an earlier time or different day.
The Timeline View
Each slot includes a visual timeline showing the breakdown:
Color Coding
| Color | Segment Type |
|---|---|
| Blue | Execution (actual work time) |
| Gray | Travel time |
| Amber | Break period |
Reading the Timeline
The timeline shows segments from left to right:
[Travel] → [Execution] → [Break] → [More work...]
- Wider segments = longer duration
- Hover over segments for exact times
- Segment order shows the day's flow
Timeline Legend
At the bottom of each timeline:
- Start time on the left
- End time on the right
- Total timeblocks shown
Comparing Options
When reviewing multiple slots:
- Check the date - Does this day work for you and the customer?
- Review travel time - Shorter travel is more efficient
- Look at workload - Avoid overloading specific days
- Consider overtime - Plan for sustainable schedules
Load More Options
If you don't see a suitable slot:
Show More Options
Click Show More Options to reveal additional slots from the loaded days.
- Shows 5 more slots at a time
- These are ranked lower but still valid
- Progress bar shows how many you've viewed
Load More Days
Click Load More Days to fetch slots from additional future days.
- Searches beyond the initially displayed date range
- Useful when the current period is too full
- May take a moment to load
Selecting a Slot
Once you've found the right option:
- Review the slot details
- Click Select this slot
- Confirm the scheduling
What Happens After Selection
- The work segment is scheduled at the chosen time
- Team member's calendar is updated
- Any required equipment is reserved
- The segment moves to scheduled status
Common Questions
Q: Why is a 2-hour job showing a 3-hour slot?
Travel time is included. The slot shows:
- Travel to the location (e.g., 30 min)
- Execution time (2 hours)
- Travel to next location or base (e.g., 30 min)
Q: Why do some slots show overtime warnings?
The slot would cause the assignee's total daily hours to exceed their regular limit. If overtime is allowed, the slot still appears with a warning.
Q: Can I modify the schedule after selecting?
Individual scheduled items can be adjusted later, but for major changes, consider rescheduling the segment.
Q: Why aren't there any slots available?
Possible reasons:
- Assignee is fully booked during the date range
- Absences are blocking availability
- Equipment is unavailable
- Working hours are too restrictive
Try Load More Days or check the constraints settings.
Q: Why is my preferred time not showing?
Check if:
- The time is within working hours
- No existing task at that time
- No absence recorded
- Required equipment is available
- It wouldn't exceed daily hour limits