Staffing and Scheduling Problems with Sliding Days Off: Solutions Using Integer Linear Optimization

Abstract

Methodology for the optimal staffing and scheduling using integer linear optimization is presented. Integer linear optimization is a subset of general linear optimization. It is preferred if the optimal solution must be expressed only as a whole (integer) set of values, such as the number of employees rather than the fractional full-time equivalent FTE values rounded off to the nearest whole numbers.

The problem types included in this chapter are (i) weekly staffing and scheduling with 2 mandatory sliding days off; (ii) taking into account the staff’s personal schedule preference and staff seniority; (iii) the minimal cost staffing and scheduling with part-time nurses; (iv) staffing and scheduling for continual daily three-shift operations; and (v) staffing and scheduling physician residents with restricted work hours and mandatory monthly days off.