Guides

Shift scheduling, explained

Short, practical guides to help you build a schedule that works — then make it with the free tool.

All guides

How to Make a Shift Schedule (Step-by-Step) A simple, practical guide to making a shift schedule your team can actually read — from listing staff to printing the final roster. Shift Schedule Template in Excel vs. Online When an Excel shift schedule template makes sense, when it slows you down, and how to build the same roster online and print it in minutes. Rotating Shift Patterns, Explained The common rotating shift patterns — 2-2-3, DuPont, 4-on-4-off — and how to pick one, with a free maker to build your own rotation. What Is a 2-2-3 Shift Schedule? Learn how the 2-2-3 (Pitman or Panama) shift schedule works, which teams it suits, and how to set up its 14-day rotating calendar. How to Create a Rotating Shift Schedule for 4 Teams A practical way to set up four-team, 24/7 coverage: choose a rotation, assign crews, check coverage, and publish a clear schedule. DuPont vs. Pitman Schedule: Which 12-Hour Rotation Fits? Compare DuPont and Pitman (2-2-3) schedules: cycle length, consecutive shifts, days off, day/night rotation, and which teams each model suits. How to Build a 24/7 Manufacturing Shift Schedule A practical guide to planning four-team manufacturing coverage, choosing a rotation, checking role coverage, and publishing a reliable plant schedule. 2-2-3 Shift Schedule Pros and Cons Weigh the pros and cons of a 2-2-3 shift schedule: hours, every-other-weekend breaks, fatigue, staffing, overtime, and who the Pitman pattern suits. Warehouse Shift Scheduling: A Practical Coverage Guide Plan warehouse shifts around receiving, picking, loading, equipment qualifications, and peak-volume windows without losing track of coverage. 4 On 4 Off Schedule Pros and Cons Compare the benefits and drawbacks of a 4 on 4 off schedule, including four-day breaks, 12-hour fatigue, weekends, hours, and staffing. Restaurant Shift Scheduling: Build a Reliable Front- and Back-of-House Rota Plan a restaurant roster around service peaks, station coverage, close-down duties, availability, and a clear process for last-minute changes.

What you will find here

These guides cover the decisions every shift scheduler has to make, from the first blank grid to a published roster the whole team can follow:

How to make a shift schedule — the full step-by-step process: define coverage, collect availability, assign shifts, check fairness, and publish one version.
Rotating shift patterns — how 2-2-3, DuPont, 4-on-4-off, and the other cycles work, and how to pick one your team can sustain.
Excel template vs. online maker — when a spreadsheet is the right tool and when the browser maker is faster.
Industry-specific advice — restaurant, warehouse, and manufacturing 24/7 schedules, with the patterns and coverage rules that fit each setting.

Every guide links back to the matching maker page, so you can read the theory and then build the schedule in the same session — no sign-up, no install.

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Jump straight to a maker

Employee Shift Schedule Maker Employee Weekly Shift Schedule Maker Weekly Nurse Shift Schedule Maker Nurse Shift Schedule Template for Excel Excel

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a shift schedule for my team?

Start with coverage: list the minimum roles that must be filled on every shift, then add people, assign shifts on a grid, and check for gaps before printing. The how-to guide walks through the full process step by step.

What is the best rotating shift pattern?

It depends on your coverage needs, but 2-2-3 (Pitman), DuPont, and 4-on-4-off are the most common 12-hour patterns because they average to full-time hours while keeping a site covered 24/7.

Should I use Excel or an online maker?

Excel is worth it when you need to calculate on top of the roster — summing hours, flagging overtime, feeding payroll. If you just need to assign shifts and print, the online maker is faster. Many teams do both: plan online, export CSV, crunch numbers in Excel.

How many employees do I need for 24/7 coverage?

At least four to five people per seat you need filled, since each person covers about 40 of the 168 weekly hours. Add more for holiday and sick cover.