What is meant by scheduling?

Scheduling is the activity of allotting materials to complete the day-to-day tasks efficiently, thus having a competitive advantage when compared to other unplanned work structures. In context to operations management and scheduling, the term "scheduling" determines time managing skills and effective utilization of resources. Any scheduling activity is assigned to a specific person who is known as a scheduler. Loading concerns granting jobs to multiple work centers and their machinery. Vertical loading involves loading according to the selected priority rule.

Some categories in sequencing are Critical Ratio (CR) where an evaluation of a priority index is required, Shortest Processing Time (SPT) which decreases work-in-process resource inventory and operations system, and the Least Set Up (LSU) paramount’s utilization.

The Gantt charts are named after Henry Gantt who was a management achiever in the early 20th century. To manage the loading and proper organizational activity content, he invented software where operations managers are capable of creating high-quality trial and error schedules by using certain problem-solving skills as well as implementing dates by using the real-time calendar feature. For reducing the customer waiting time, labor needs to be properly oriented for the corresponding logistics and it is important to coordinate and schedule many resources within a particular time frame.

Types of scheduling methods

In the context of operations management, sequencing is to pre-plan the chronology of the proposed operation by process and must adhere to the unchangeable orders through the operation order release planning.

There are two general types of scheduling methods, forward scheduling, and backward scheduling. In forward scheduling, the scheduler takes up an already planned sequence of release dates and plans all the operations decisions or tasks from this point ahead in time, whereas backward scheduling initiates with a due date and goes backward in time. Various types of jobs depend on the availability of materials, maintenance, shift duties, and so on.

CPU scheduling algorithm

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) scheduling algorithm attempts to maximize and minimize the CPU utilization and throughput, and minimizes the turnaround time, waiting, and response time. It usually comprises 6 types of process scheduling algorithms, namely, First Come First Serve (FCFS), Shortest-Job-First (SJF) Scheduling, Shortest Remaining Time, Priority Scheduling, Round Robin, and Multilevel Queue Scheduling.

Automated planning and scheduling

Automated planning and scheduling, also termed AI (Artificial Intelligence) planning where the team members manage to develop strategies and cope with the ever-changing times. The industrial revolution had brought about many advancements and the implementation of smart devices, unmanned vehicles and robots are the need of the hour.

Network scheduler

A packet or network scheduler contains an arbiter on a node embedded inside a packet-switching communication network. Its mechanism tries to manage the network packet order and in return, get queues of the protocol stack and network interface controller.

Types of network operating system schedulers

Process scheduler: It commands which procedure runs at a particular point in time. It has the power to halt a running process, take it back to the running queue, and begin a new process.

Long-term scheduling: Whenever execution of the program occurs, the settings of the current processes are granted permission or delayed by the long-term scheduler. Most of the processes are either I/O-bound or CPU-bound. The I/O-bound spends most of its time doing input/output processes than going for evaluations. A CPU-bound process empties the I/O (Input / Output) waiting queue, hence, the amalgamation of CPU-bound and I/O-bound processes obtains the best performance for the system to function.

Medium-term scheduling: It removes processes from the main memory and positions them in the secondary memory. Nowadays, the medium-term scheduler may conduct the role of a long-term scheduler by handling binaries as swapped out upon their respective execution. This is also called demand paging.

Short-term scheduling: The CPU scheduler or short-term scheduler makes sure which of the in-memory processes need to be executed after an interruption signal. It makes scheduling decisions more periodically than any other scheduling system.

Dispatcher: It gets a certain control of the CPU from the module to the procedure picked up by the short-term scheduler. The dispatcher needs to be quick as it is implored during each process switch. Dispatch latency is the time taken for the dispatcher to terminate one process and initiate another one.

Appointment scheduling software

An appointment scheduler automates a variety of reservations and bookings for appointment-based ventures. Service-based ventures use appointment scheduling tactics to control the scheduling process, calendar management, online payment, production system, and so on, thus avoiding any third-party involvement from other departments. For instance, the Calendly app produces scheduling of meeting hassle-free by eradicating any back-and-forth emails, and with a few clicks, we can obtain the desired detailed schedule chart. Another app extensively used is a Doodle app that makes work professionals pay attention to their real work by making time-consuming activities fast and feasible. Other appointment scheduling apps are Acuity Scheduling, Booksy, and Vagaro.

Employee scheduling

Employee scheduling is an everlasting work for strategic operations managers and business founders. Under normal conditions, it may be tedious to precisely predict staffing requirements and increase the production process. Compiling employee scheduling software and strategic planning, the team will benefit from flexible timings, including emergencies for medical offices, and keeping the business running without any hurdles. Some employee scheduling apps are Connecteam, Humanity, and Sling.

Self-scheduling

Self-scheduling is when schedulers permit employees to select their shifts. The scheduler makes open shifts and the employees are then capable to self-select shifts they are eligible for and work. It takes the weight off the schedulers and provides employees much more autonomy while with flexibility for everyone involved and making sure the shifts are only filled by qualified and skilled staff the business requires.

Wave scheduling

It is one of the seven types of appointment scheduling. Wave scheduling works well when you have immense back-to-back customer visits. It permits the clients to select their schedule which offers the employees the freedom to work however they are comfortable. It doesn’t work for complex processes that consume an ample amount of time.

Open booking

Another type of scheduling is open booking. It is one of the most flexible types of appointment scheduling and is more difficult to construct and maintain a consumer database to analyze appointment behavior. One can create an online booking page (online scheduling) or purchase a free trial equipped with SMS and email reminders sent automatically to the owner and lower appointment no-shows.

Context and Applications

Types of scheduling is an important part of various management courses and management training programs such as:

• Bachelors in Business Administration (General)
• Masters in Business Administration (Supply Chain Management)
• Masters in Business Administration (Operations Management)

Practice Problems

1. Which type of scheduling initiates with a due date and goes backward in time?

1. Backward scheduling
2. Forward scheduling
3. Priority scheduling
4. First come first serve scheduling

Answer: Option a

Explanation: Backward scheduling initiates with a due date and goes backward in time. It comes under the category of types of scheduling and is used extensively for better planning as well as proper execution of tasks.

2. What is the full form of SPT?

1. Shortest Possible Time
2. Shortest Processing Time
3. Simple Processing Time
4. Shortest Possible Theory

Answer: Option b

Explanation: The full form of SPT is Shortest Processing Time which decreases work-in-process resource inventory and operations system.

3. Which of the following is/are the types of network operating system schedulers?

1. Process scheduler
2. Long-term scheduling
3. Dispatcher
4. All of the above

Answer: Option d

Explanation: The types of network operating system schedulers are process schedulers, long-term scheduling, and dispatcher.

4. Which of the following app is popularly used in appointment scheduling?

1. WhatsApp
2. Zoom app
3. Calendly app
4. Facebook app

Answer: Option c

Explanation: Calendly app is popularly used in appointment scheduling. An appointment scheduler automates a variety of reservations and bookings for appointment-based ventures.

5. Who discovered Gantt charts?

1. Henry Gantt
2. Joseph Gantt
3. Rutherford Gantt
4. None of the above

Answer: Option a

Explanation: Henry Gantt discovered the Gantt charts who was a management achiever in the early 20th century. To manage the loading and proper organizational activity content, they invented software where operations managers are capable of creating high-quality trial and error schedules by using certain problem-solving skills as well as implementing dates by using the real-time calendar feature.

Related Concepts

• Software end-to-end encryption
• Operations management and production planning
• Supply chain management
• APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society)
• Linux 2.4-time quantum 200 MS
• CPU burst