Planning for COVID-19

Webinar Series

Planning for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us, the changes and impacts will continue for some time. It’s during times like this when you need you remember that you are part of a community of best practice, so don’t be alone. The Forum is your friendly, safe environment for sharing ideas, top tips and pitfalls to avoid. In this time of uncertainty its important that we collaborate and work together, bringing together ideas and use this time as an opportunity to learn and continue to raise standards. 

 We have designed three short series of learning academy modules, along with a top-tips & pitfalls to avoid for homeworking webinar and then a virtual networking group to help you. Phil Anderson has written an article about some of the considerations you might need to make. 

To view series 1 and 2 you need to log in to the website. Click on My Account at the top right to register or log in. 

Introduction to Forecasting (including Best in Class)

This module provides an introductory understanding of:

 - the fundamental inputs and outputs of the forecasting processes.
 - the role of forecasting within the planning cycle 
 - the characteristics of best in class forecasting teams as evidenced throgh The Forum's standards-benchmarking programme

Understanding the Flexibility Toolkit

Date TBC

One you have determined the volatility of your volumes you can start to think of ways to manage this through scheduling. The flexibility toolkit contains 18 options that you can use in your business. Learning outcomes include:

- What are the flexibility options and which can be combined? 

- Pros and cons of each method and case study examples of how they’ve been implemented.

- Understanding how different tool kit options can be used strategically and tactical

Operating models, routing strategic and skill design

Date TBC

How Multi-skilling routing works & load balancing between sites or teams plus more

- IVR Vs Routing

- Operating Models

- Breaking Erlang

- Purposes of multiskilling

- Balancing conflicting view points

- New potential planning logics

Managing Assumptions

Date TBC

Understand the need for everyone to realise the importance of managing your assumptions and how targets can drive behaviour

- Consider the importance of assumptions in your models

- Ensure understanding of the impact of variances through the day and between people

- Build your stakeholder engagement

Advanced Volatility & Flexibility balancing strategies

Date TBC

Develop your flexibility offering with deeper analysis of your supply and demand, driving a workforce strategy.

- Understand the scale of volatility

- Engage your stakeholders with advanced analysis

- Use this to drive decisions and develop a workforce strategy

Measures of Success for Scheduling

Date TBC

Scheduling is much more than creating shifts and therefore the success criteria for shift design is much more than schedule fit.  This module will explore the key responsibilities of a scheduler and how a holistic view is required to set measures of success.  Learning outcomes include:

- What does good look like?  Understand the importance of scheduling and the key responsibilities, including key characteristics of good and bad schedules.

- Define your purpose.  Understand how schedules support your business strategy and its importance to customer and employee satisfaction

- Schedule fit & other measures.  Introduction to different ways of measuring scheduling fit and how these can be incorporated into a more holistic framework of success measures.

Introduction to Scheduling

Date TBC

This module provides an introductory understanding of:

- The fundamental inputs and outputs of the scheduling processes.

- The role of scheduling within the planning cycle 

- The characteristics of best in class scheduling teams as evidenced through The Forum's standards-benchmarking programme

How to drive engagement through shift review

Date TBC

Shift reviews deliver many benefits to many areas of the business

- Performance - Improved customer experience

- Attrition, Absence - Reduced stress of busy peaks and boredom of quiet times

- Employee Engagement - Flexibility to meet lifestyles of your teams

Understand the key principles which will drive engagement across your organisation, face the fear of shift patterns and bring a united, collaborative approach to making change possible

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