So far, AI and Machine Learning have primarily focused on crunching numbers for labor forecasts and volume predictions. While this is certainly important, there is an opportunity to use AI to monitor trends and ensure fairness in schedules. Vendors need to shift their focus to the human aspect of workforce management, using AI to help managers make fairer decisions and spot potential issues before they escalate.
Making Forecasting and Shift Scheduling Work for Everyone
The exciting part about AI in workforce management is its ability to accurately forecast demand drivers—like sales, units sold, transactions, etc.—by analyzing vast amounts of historical data along with other inputs such as weather, local events, and promotional calendars. This results in more accurate forecasts. On the scheduling front, AI can enhance the setup of shift schedules that not only meet business needs but also align with employees’ strengths and timing preferences. It sifts through extensive data to determine optimal scheduling, balancing business peaks with employee preferences.
Since ML thrives on learning, both forecasting and scheduling improve over time by absorbing feedback and actual results. This adaptability ensures that schedules remain precise, offering both employees and managers more flexibility and reducing headaches.
Prioritizing the Human Aspect
While AI has made strides in forecasting and scheduling, its potential to enhance fairness in work hours and shifts remains underutilized. Vendors should focus on developing AI systems that act like high-tech fairness monitors, detecting if someone is working too many weekends or consistently missing out on their preferred shifts. AI can highlight these issues to managers, aiding them in making more balanced decisions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance for all employees.
Imagine a system that alerts managers when someone hasn’t had a weekend off in a long while or is always assigned less desirable shifts. It’s all about preventing burnout and ensuring everyone feels valued and fairly treated.
Wrapping Up
By focusing more on the human aspects, AI and ML can do more than just improving forecast accuracy. They can make a significant difference in people’s work lives. From enhancing scheduling intelligence to ensuring fairness and managing time off, these technologies are set to improve the experience for workforce management users.