---
pdfexport: true
alias: tutorials-shift-planning-index
timetoread: true
tags:
    - "12.0"
    - "shift plan"
    - "team"
    - "shift definition"
description: "Learning to configure alternating production teams, inspect the calendar day types, and cover an absence with a qualified temporary assignment."
tutorial: deepdive
module: Labor Management
---

# Shift Planning

## Overview

Production staffing needs to match both the work scheduled for a shift and the qualifications of the available employees. Shift Planning in Critical Manufacturing MES connects the production calendar, team assignments, and personnel requirements so planners can identify gaps and adjust coverage.

Start with [[tutorials-shift-planning-configuration]] to prepare the **Calendar**, **Teams**, **Employees**, qualifications, and staffing requirements. Then learn to navigate the **Shift Plan** calendar and interpret its different day types before applying that knowledge to employee absence coverage.

!!! info

    Shift Plans are part of Labor Management, an optional module of Critical Manufacturing MES.

!!! tip "Learn with the configuration or use the prepared model"

    A master-data file with the tutorial model is available in [[tutorials-shift-planning-configuration#master-data]]. To better understand how the Calendar, Teams, Certifications, and Shift Plan work together, follow the configuration steps. Use the prepared model if you want to focus on the scenarios.

## Target Audience

Production planners and Labor Management administrators who configure shift rotations and manage employee staffing and qualifications.

## Prerequisites

- Access to Critical Manufacturing MES with the Labor Management module.
- An administrator account to prepare the model and planner access as described in [[tutorials-shift-planning-configuration#planner-role-features]].
- Complete [[tutorials-shift-planning-configuration]] or use its prepared master data before starting the scenarios.

## Learning Path

| **Stage** | **What you will learn** |
| --- | --- |
| [[tutorials-shift-planning-configuration]] | Configure the production context, **Calendar**, **Teams**, **Employees**, **Certifications**, **Workgroups**, and **Shift Plan**. |
| [[tutorials-shift-planning-calendar-day-types]] | Learn to navigate the **Shift Plan** calendar, recognize its day types, and understand the changes represented by each state. |
| [[tutorials-shift-planning-cover-employee-absence]] | Record an absence, temporarily assign a qualified replacement, and verify coverage. |

Table: Shift Planning learning path

The production **Flow**, **Steps**, and **Resources** provide context, but no **Product**, **Material**, or production transactions are required.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling, trainee authorization, custom working-time rules, and shift logbooks are outside the scope.

## Use Case

At Northstar Electronics, two assembly benches feed a functional-test station for industrial controllers. Production runs continuously, with each shift requiring two Assembly Operators and one Test Technician.

Each **Team** has three Assembly Operators and one Test Technician. One Assembly Operator also holds the Test Technician **Certification**. When the regular Test Technician is absent, that **Employee** can cover Final Test while two operators remain in Assembly.

![Use Case](../images/shiftplanning_usecase.png)

Four **Teams** rotate across the three shifts, leaving one **Team** off each day. This provides continuous coverage and scheduled days off within a repeating eight-day cycle.

| **Operating assumption** | **Selected model** |
| --- | --- |
| Production week | Seven days per week, with all three shifts operating each day. |
| Shifts | Midnight-8:00 AM, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, and 4:00 PM-midnight. |
| **Teams** and **Employees** | `TeamA` through `TeamD`, each with four **Employees**: `A1`-`A4`, `B1`-`B4`, `C1`-`C4`, and `D1`-`D4`; plus a Controller Planner. |
| Required staffing per shift | `ControllerAssembly`: two Assembly Operators; `ControllerFinalTest`: one Test Technician. |
| Normal staffing per **Team** | **Employees** 1, 2, and 3 work in Assembly; **Employee** 4 works in Final Test. **Employee** 3 holds both Assembly Operator and Test Technician **Certifications**. |
| Rotation cycle | Cycle of eight days; each **Team** works two shifts of each number and then has two days off.|

Table: Operating assumptions

**Teams** determine which **Employees** follow each shift rotation. **Workgroups** define where staffing is needed. Each **Workgroup** requires positions associated with **Certifications**, which determine which **Employees** are qualified to fill them.

## Next Steps

1. [[tutorials-shift-planning-configuration]] - prepare the model or use the supplied master data.
2. [[tutorials-shift-planning-calendar-day-types]] - inspect the calendar day types.
3. [[tutorials-shift-planning-cover-employee-absence]] - cover an absence with a qualified temporary assignment and verify staffing.