Weighting

The weighting function is the basis of the automated timetable optimisation tool. Untis offers six levels of importance ranging from 'unimportant' (0) to 'extremely important' (5) which allow you to specify the level of priority given to the individual settings.

Note:

Some weighting points only become effective after specific data has been entered in the master data or in one of the 'Lessons' windows (please refer to chapter 'Data entry'). Other weightings, however, are data independent and affect every optimisation run.

The function 'Respect the maximum and minimum number of periods per day for teachers', for instance, is a dependent weighting point since it depends on data entered under 'Periods day Min-Max' on the 'Timetable' tab in the 'Teachers | Master data' window (e.g. '2- 4'). The weighting determines the level of importance of these settings (i.e. the degree of compliance with the settings). Leaving the field empty means that the weighting has no effect on the optimisation process.

Independent weighting points, however, involve general settings such as 'Avoid non-teaching periods (NTPs)' or 'Avoid having just one period in a half-day for teachers' since single periods and NTPs do not require additional specifications to be entered under master data or lessons .

The weighting settings can be accessed via the <Weighting> button on the 'Start' tab.

The weighting dialogue contains the different weighting parameters sorted by topic. Increase or decrease individual weighting settings by using the slider controls. From left to right, the weighting sliders offer 6 different levels of importance:

• Position 0 - unimportant

• Position 1 - not very important

• Position 2 - fairly important

• Position 3 - important

• Position 4 - very important

• Position 5 - extremely important

The following chapter briefly describes the individual parameters with reference to the master data and lesson data settings relevant for dependent weighting points.