HS ASC: Labor rule types

Clients that use Labor Optimization (formerly Activity Based Forecasting [ABF]) create labor rules in the Above Store Console (ASC). Here are the types of rules that may be used. 

Base Volume: Basic rule. Example: "always create this many hours/shifts, no matter what my projections are, or what my other Labor Rules say."

Intended Functionality

Base Volume sets the minimum number of employees you need for a period of time. This is designed to prevent a low forecast from giving you fewer hours than you might actually need. Basically, the Base Volume rule sets up the statement "I need a minimum of X employees for this time frame, regardless of my forecast." In the event that your forecast suggests needing zero employees, shifts will still be generated.

This feature offers the following functionality when configuring the rule:

• Job code the rule applies to
• Time range the rule applies to
• Days of the week the rule applies to
• Minimum number of shifts that should be created, regardless of forecast

Standard Multiple: Basic rule. Example: "I need 1 Server for every 10 guests. Only measure my labor drivers from 11am-9pm. Only use labor drivers from my 'Bar' revenue center."

Setup - Definition Configuration

1) Type how many labor driver units it takes to require one shift

2) Select the labor driver type to base the calculation on

3) Type the maximum number of shifts that can be created (regardless of labor driver volume)

4) Type minimum number of shifts that should be created (regardless of labor driver volume)

5) Type the number shifts (if any) that should be created in addition to what the labor driver volume calculates. This is safeguard that allows you to always add an extra shift on top of what the forecast says you need. For instance, no matter how many shifts the forecast determines, always create an extra shift(s) to in case it gets busy.

6) Select the number of intervals that will be used to calculate one shift. This tells the calculation how far back in the day to look when trying to determine how many shifts are needed according to the client's intervals. For instance, you are calculating labor volume in 15 minute intervals. Typing "2" in this field would mean the calculation will look at the current 15 minute and the previous 15 minute interval. Thus, the number of shifts that gets created will be determined by a 30 minute span.

7) Choose the revenue center(s) that will provide the labor driver volume

Hourly Modifier: supplemental rule. Example: "If it predicts a high guest count for lunch, give me two extra dishwashers between 6pm-8pm."

Intended Functionality

This is designed to supplement the Standard Multiple Rule. Hourly Modifier Rule helps prepare for when exceptions occur with the Standard Multiple.

This rule states that if the forecast is greater than a specific amount for a time range, extra shifts should be added for a later time range.

This rule can replace the base volume rule when present because it includes the ability to set a minimum number of shifts needed (regardless of forecast) for the date/time configured.

Example: If my guest count is over 100 guests between 11am - 3pm, then I know I'll need extra dishwashers from 3pm-4pm to help prepare for dinner. If we didn't create this rule, then the forecast would meet our needs at 11am - 3pm, but fail to give us an extra help from 3pm - 4pm.

This feature offers the following functionality when configuring the rule:

• Job code the rule applies to
• Time range the rule applies to
• Days of the week the rule applies to
• Minimum number of shifts needed for a time range
• Threshold for creating extra shifts (amount of labor driver needed to apply the rule)
• Time range for measuring labor driver
• Number of shifts that will be added when threshold is met
• Time frame for creating shifts when threshold is met
  • Note: This time frame must occur during the 'time range the rule applies to' in order to create labor demand during the time frame specified

Fixed Hour Multiple: custom rule very similar to Standard Multiple except the settings for what shifts are created are set up at the client level.

Intended Functionality

This rule is very simple and somewhat related to the Standard Volume Rule. The difference is that instead of shifts, we are determining specifically how many guests = 1 hour of labor.

Also, the start time and max shift time is read from the Fixed Hour Overrides set up at the site level Forecast Tab > Forecast Configuration.

Example: Based on the shift start times and max hours per shift entered under the Forecast Configuration, we should get X number of hours per Y number of guests. So when this rule is applied it creates the shifts based on the set start time and the max shift hours per shift.

This feature offers the following functionality when configuring the rule:

• Job Code the rule applies
• Time range the rule applies to
• Days of the week the rule applies to
• The amount of guest that equals one hour of labor
• The time range to base the guest count on

Dual Multiple:  that will allow for job hour creation based on (2) variations of the same source.

This new rule will allow for the accumulation of job hours based on (2) different multiples based on different source types of the product record.

Silverware Roller: custom rule, used to account for Silverware Roller Labor. This does require extra client-level settings.

The Silverware Roller rule counts the driver (guests, entrees, etc.) over a specific time frame defined in the rule. The timeframe that the labor hours are placed doesn't need to match up with the time frame the drivers are counted over.

Progression Multiple:  You will now be able to allocate employees based on the progression of a labor driver Example: "I need  1 server at 10 guests, 2 servers when guest forecast hits 15, 3 servers when guests reach 45."

Setup - Definition Configuration

1) Select the labor driver type to base the calculation on

2) Select the number of intervals that will be used to calculate one shift, you will be able to select from 1 to 10. This tells the calculation how far back in the day to look when trying to determine how many shifts are needed according to the client's intervals. They could be 15-minute or 30-minute, depending on how the site is configured. For instance, you are calculating labor volume in 15 minute intervals. Typing "2" will add up the previous two intervals 9:15 am and 9:30 am.

3) Select Start or End to determine where the labor will be applied, (End will be the default)

4) Type the minimum number of employees for that job code and the maximum number of employees

5) Input incremental labor driver amounts based on number of labor (future entries must be greater than or equal to the previous)

6) Choose the revenue center(s) that will provide the labor driver volume