Content area
By shift work models fixed in rosters the distribution of working time is determined. In order to develop a 'good' roster more than just a favorable sequence has to be considered. Flexible working time models, ergonomic and operational requests as well as industrial relations are described thoroughly. Models of evaluation and optimization are investigated for applicability in this domain. A representation is introduced, which is able to express usual timing corresponding with social rhythms. The main part of this thesis is the introduction of a model how to proceed in a company and a specification for the development of a decision support system. At first a framework for the development of a good shift work model is presented and some supporting functions are introduced. Secondly, the thesis deals with a procedure to design a decision support system for rosters that takes into consideration the company-related specific tasks. The multidimensional solution space is investigated by means of a decomposition procedure (CATS-CATCH-DEKOMP) with regard to problem specific interdependecies. The results of this analysis are used to specify models of the software and supporting functions. This new procedure is applied to a classical shift system and a non-usual system. It is shown how the requirements of ergonomy and law can be integrated into these modules.