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In Search of the "Perfect" Pager Rotation?

Posted by Cliff on from the time-share-beeper dept.

jSpectre asks: "At my new job the Unix SA team has increased from 5 to 7. We're trying to work out a new, rotating on-call schedule and everyone has 'perfect' but conflicting ideas. Twelve weeks on and 6 off, 25 weeks on and 10 off. I thought someone out there must have come up with the perfect formula given N number of people you could rotate through the weekdays and weekend most efficiently. My google and web searches have come up with nothing. Does anyone know of a good formula/solution? The requirements are this, we have 7 people (but the forumla should ideally apply to N people) who should rotate through the weekdays (a 24 hour period) and the weekend (a 48 hour period). There is a desginated primary and a secondary person. They should be on for a few weeks and off entirely for a few. Sound like a good thesis/research problem for someone? By the way, Google comes up with a lot of people's schedules if you search for pager rotation. Tisk tisk."

3 of 70 comments (clear)

  1. In search of the perfect lotto number... by $exyNerdie · · Score: 5, Funny

    I want to win the Powerball® jackpot which is estimated at $250 million.
    Does anyone know of a good formula/solution? The requirements are this, I want to win this Powerball® jackpot (but the forumla should ideally apply such that out of the N times I play, I should win at least N-1 times). Sound like a good thesis/research problem for someone? By the way, Google comes up with a lot of pages if you search for lucky Powerball® numbers. Tisk tisk.

  2. Auction it by A+nonymous+Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Give everyone points per week, either same for everybody or based on seniority. Then set up a schedule in advance, whoever has the most points gets the duty. When duty is taken, points are removed. People can of course volunteer for duty, and if multiple ones do, low points get first choice. Allow points to go negative.

    Or something like that. I'm sure it could be an interesting exercise designing the points system and implementing a web page to handle it.

    One more thing, you need some kind of deadline, no changing your mind within a week of duty. But if you get someone to swap, allow that.

    Now if you are going to pay for the duty, you want the weekly points awarded based on how much different shifts cost. Maybe factor in seniority also.

    --
    Infuriate left and right
    1. Re:Auction it by Eneff · · Score: 5, Interesting
      ding ding ding!


      mod points just expired, though. Damn!


      I'd actually put a twist on the idea... Instead of losing points, have people gain points for doing these duties. (You start at a base 50 points, for example, then auction down for each 4 day/3 day or 5 day/2 day shift.)


      now here's the rub... you reverse auction for desirable days/weeks off. (Christmas, Thanksgiving, et al) People use accumulated points to bid for it off. The two that bid the least are primary and secondary, respectively. Those two would then get some percentage of the points bid.

      So, for example, I'd have no problem working Christmas and Easter, but I'm taking the two weeks surrounding my birthday off. (This could conflict with Easter, but you get the point.) I'd also bid for the week containing labor day, for example.