Test the roster before choosing the platform

You can explore a different roster before committing to a new platform. A prototype recreates your demand, staff and rules, then tests agreed alternatives.

This article introduced SkyRoster’s rostering prototyping services in 2022. The scope, deliverables and commercial arrangements for a current evaluation should be agreed with the team.

Choose the question to answer

Useful questions include:

• How does the current roster compare with alternatives using the same headcount and demand?
• What happens to overtime if staffing increases over an agreed planning period?
• How would a specified increase in demand affect coverage and duties?
• What are the effects of maintaining two qualifications per employee rather than three?
• How do a five-watch Morning–Afternoon–Night–Rest–Off pattern and a four-watch Day–Night–Rest–Off pattern compare?
• How do team-based and individual rosters distribute work?
• What is the relationship between time on position and total time on duty?

Treat future demand changes and recruitment targets as scenario inputs. The engine does not establish a traffic forecast or determine the organisation’s staffing policy.

Change one assumption at a time

Use a baseline with the current staff, availability, qualifications and demand. Change one set of assumptions at a time where possible, and record the difference explicitly.

A reduction in overtime after adding staff is not solely an automation saving. Similarly, a proposed shift pattern needs review against operational requirements and staff agreements before it can be considered for use.

Choose useful outputs

The original service description included rosters for an agreed period, spreadsheet exports of hours by shift type, qualification and position, a report on assumptions and methods, and Power BI analysis. It also included support for discussing results with controllers, representatives and other stakeholders.

Choose the outputs that answer the evaluation question. Label simulated results clearly and retain enough detail for reviewers to understand their limits.

See published examples and methodology or contact our team about an evaluation.

Updated September 2026: the unsubstantiated example of 60,000 annual swap requests and its associated €360,000 cost estimate have been removed. The claim that the exercise predicts an individual’s fatigue score has also been removed.