HosPortal provides two main ways of allowing users to participate in the construction of on-call rosters.
Selection-based self-rostering
Preference-based self-rostering.
Selection-based self-rostering
In selection rostering, users pick from the available shifts during the selection 'window'. If a user picks a shift it is reserved for them immediately, and no one else can select it (while the window is open they are able release it again to pool of available shifts and other users can then select it). This is sometimes called first-past-the-post rostering.
Selection rostering is often done in conjunction with a quota, or minimum number of shifts, that each user must pick during the selection window. Administrators can opt for HosPortal to assign shifts automatically to those people who do not pick their quota.
Selection rostering is an extremely efficient way to build rosters because there is very little for an administrator to do to set up, run and complete the self-roster process.
Selection rostering is often used where:
A roster is unpopular. Quotas and auto-fill options can make it easier to ensure there is a fair allocation of shifts, and HosPortal manages the process of ensuring everyone fills their quota.
A roster is extremely popular. Selection rostering is often considered fair when there is high competition for shifts.
There are many users available compared to the number of shifts. The process of setting up and administering a selection roster is extremely efficient and quick, and can eliminate much of the administrative effort especially where there are many people who need to be placed on the roster.
Preference-based self-rostering
In preference rostering, users express preferences for the shifts they would prefer to do during the selection window. Users can pick days that other users have already picked, and they can pick more or fewer shifts than they are required to participate in.
The preferences are automatically gathered by HosPortal and presented to the roster administrator in a draft. The roster administrator must then make final selections, allocate users to shifts that no one has selected, and publish the final roster.
Preference rostering is often used where:
Administrator judgement is required in building the roster. A roster administrator maintains control over the roster but can easily access the preferences of users.
There are relatively few users compared to the number of shifts. For these types of rosters each user will be allocated many shifts each. Preference rosters make sure that each user's personal circumstances are considered in building the roster.