Add resource requirements (RR)

Overview

This feature allows schedulers to specify the number of resources and the skills they must hold when allocating jobs.

Skills are defined using tags. A resource may be tagged with a number of skills, which may or may not expire (this is configurable via the Resources console).

When a scheduler creates a job, they can apply certain restrictions, e.g., the resource must hold a valid safety certificate to be on site. The resources that are available for allocation must match the requirements, and this is done by comparing tags. Note: This can be manually overwritten.

Currently, when a tag is applied to a job, a filter restricts the display of available resources in the swimlanes. In addition, a check is made to ascertain the current validity of their skills. The result is presented in the swimlanes, via a resource requirements icon next to the resource’s name. A green icon indicates the resource meets the resource requirements, i.e., their skills are valid and have not expired.

Multiple Resource Requirements

Adding resource requirements when creating a job

A scheduler can stipulate a job’s resource requirements when they create it. On the Create Job page, click the Requirements tab. This is where the number of resources and the tags (or skills) they require can be set.

  • Quantity (optional): The minimum number of resources required for the job. This number is represented by small empty placeholders on job cards that have yet to be allocated (in the scheduling console job list).
  • Tags (optional): Tags represent the skills the resources must have to be allocated to the job.

The use of tags in job details

View the skill tags associated with a job via the job details view. The resource requirements are displayed in the Resources column.

Adding or editing the skill requirements for jobs

The process for adding tags to a job is as follows:

  1. Click on the Actions menu (the vertical dots) and select Edit requirement.
  2. Set the number of resources required using the quantity picker.
  3. Enter your tags in the Tags required field. As you type, any predefined tags that match the text entered will appear in a dropdown list.
  4. Select a tag from the list.
  5. Select a Skill priority (the options provided are: Low, Medium, High, and Required).
  6. Click Save. The skill tag is now specified.

Filtering for required skills (Tags)

Where skills (tags) are set as Required, a filter is applied (to the resource list) to identify only those resources who are both available and match the tagged conditions, i.e., any suggested resource must have this skill or qualification.

The following conditions apply to tag icons in the Job Details view:

  • A fully highlighted tag (green) is displayed next to the resources that match all the required tags of at least one requirement.
  • An empty icon is displayed next to resources that have tags, but they do not match the required tags of any requirement, or they match but have expired.
  • Resources with no tag icon do not have any tags assigned.
  • On mouse-over, a list of the resource’s tags is displayed in a pop-up.
  • When a resource’s tags are displayed, those tags that match the requirements are marked with a green tick.

Editing a skill’s priority for resource requirements

First, access the resource requirements for the job via the options menu in the Resources column. Once opened, the scheduler can increase the number of resources required or add/remove the skill tags required.

To add tags, click on the “Search to add tags” text to open the drop-down menu. Select a tag and save.

To set the skill priority, under the “Tags required” section, click on the small “v” icon to show the skill priority dropdown menu. Select a priority (i.e., low, medium, high, or required) and save.

Existing skill tags can be deleted by clicking on the small “x” icon.

Manage tags (skills), Use resource tags, Manage tags.