AAOM Handbook

SC.03 Identify Synergies & Conflicts Between Tasks Context The objectives of work scheduling are firstly to ensure that all work packages are completed at the right time, and secondly to make the most efficient use of resources while doing this. Every work package has a distinct window that defines the right time for scheduling. This window is bounded by the earliest date that all requirements for completion of the work can be assembled (the Earliest Start Date), and by the latest date by which the work must be started (the Required Date less the work duration = Latest Start Date). The initial Scheduled Start Date for a Work Order may be allocated either manually or by the Work Scheduling System (WSS). The independence in these processes may result in two activities for the same Equipment/ Workplace being scheduled a few days apart, when there could be synergies from scheduling these together. There may also be some Tasks that cannot be scheduled together because of conflicts between workplace conditions, resource or access requirements etc. These Tasks must be separated in the schedule. Recognising and optimising the management of the potential synergies and conflicts that can lie within a schedule is a large part of the skill of an effective scheduler. When it is determined that there are synergies and/or conflicts in performing specific Tasks, they must be linked or de-linked on the schedule. Purpose To maximise productivity by scheduling into the same time slots all Tasks that can be efficiently executed together, while ensuring that all Tasks that cannot be completed together are separated in the schedule. Quantity The Scheduled Start Date/Time of each Task set to ensure that work with an inherent synergy is completed together, and incompatible Tasks are separated in time. Quality In completing this task consider the following;  the scheduling parameter tolerance on WSS scheduled Tasks,  the scheduling window for Work Orders/Tasks,  required Equipment/Workplace condition (operating, isolated, empty etc),  potential hazards and risks associated with the work,