Determining the distribution of yearly working time by shift plan optimization

The paper presents an algorithm to determine a cost minimal yearly working time. Based on a given set of shift schedules a simultaneous selction- and sequencing procedure is performed resulting in a shift sequence that optimizes the yearly working time distribution. In contrast to the usual approaches this method takes into account all the complex working time restrictions implied by the shift schedules and all the related cost structures. The influence of some important planning parameters is discussed extensively.