Does it follow the rules?
Check the rules independently, including edge cases and situations where no plan can work. If we call a result optimal, we need to show what it optimizes and why the claim holds.
How we work
A tool is only useful
when your team can run it.
We work out what you need, build and test the tool, then help your team use it on their own.
We agree on what you’ll receive, the timeline, fees and support before we start.
1
Understand the decision
A clear problem to solve, a comparison with your current process and a proposal for the work.
What we need from you
The people who make the decision, a walkthrough of the current process and a few examples to work with.
What we check together
Can existing software, a simpler spreadsheet or a process change already do the job?
2
Build and test
A working tool, a comparison of the options and an explanation of how we checked the results.
What we need from you
Your team’s rules, the information needed to build the tool and feedback from the people who will use it.
What we check together
Does the tool respect the actual rules and compare fairly with the existing process?
3
Try it with your team
Exports, instructions and training, with checks to pass before use and a backup process if something goes wrong.
What we need from you
Time for staff to try the tool on representative work, plus someone who can approve its use.
What we check together
Can staff operate it independently, handle exceptions and recognize when not to use it?
4
Agree on what comes next
An agreed plan for updates or support, including who handles each part and what needs testing again.
What we need from you
Feedback from daily use, changes to your rules or plans to bring in more teams or locations.
What we check together
What needs checking again when the work changes, and who will provide support?
Example of what you receive
A schedule with
instructions for using it.
This sample shows a schedule and the instructions that go with it. For your team, we would agree on the inputs, rules and checks the tool needs to pass.
01 / Inputs02 / Rules03 / Plan04 / Team review
Read the sample instructions 6 sessions · 48 seats · $322
The afternoon plan
Synthetic example- Decision
- Assign qualified instructors across North and Riverside, 14:00–17:00.
- Comparison
- Both plans cover 48 seats. Simple comparison plan: $330. Optimized plan: $322.
- Tradeoff
- I-03 covers North science so I-02 can cover two Riverside sessions. Modeled difference: $8; not achieved savings.
North14:00–15:00I-01Math
North15:00–16:00I-01Math
North16:00–17:00I-03Science
Riverside14:00–15:00I-04Math
Riverside15:00–16:00I-02Science
Riverside16:00–17:00I-02Science
Test the tool
against real work.
Is it better than the current process?
Give both approaches the same inputs and rules. Compare what matters to your team: unfilled sessions, rule violations, cost, planning time or the work of rearranging a schedule.
Can the team run it?
Staff need to run the tool, understand exceptions and know when to use the backup process. We distinguish the model’s estimates from what happens in a trial and in everyday use.
Before work begins.
A few common questions.
Do we need a perfect dataset first?
No. A schedule can start with who is available, what they can do and the rules you need to follow. A forecast usually needs past records. We’ll look at what you have and agree whether anything else is needed.
When is custom work worth it?
When your team makes the same decision regularly and the current process struggles with important rules. We first check whether an existing app, spreadsheet or process change could do the job.
What would we actually receive?
Usually, a tool with inputs you can change, a schedule or allocation you can export, and instructions and training for your team. The proposal sets out exactly what you’ll receive, who owns it and how you’ll access it.
How are timing and fees agreed?
Once we understand the problem, we agree on the work, timeline, fees and checks the tool needs to pass. You’ll know what is included before we begin.
What happens after the handoff?
We agree on any ongoing support separately. New locations or changes to your rules may need updates and another round of testing.
Who makes the final decision?
Your team does. The tool helps you compare options; the person responsible for the work reviews the plan, checks exceptions and approves its use.
Tell us what your team needs to decide.
Describe how you handle it now and what gets in the way.