One-off optimization (Pulse Scheduling Experience)

Run one-off optimization from the Pulse Scheduling Experience.

Overview

One-off optimization in the Pulse Scheduling Experience is useful when the workforce or demand is unpredictable, or when responding to unplanned changes to an existing schedule, such as a resource calling in sick.

Optimization runs in the background and provides near real-time results, allowing schedulers to adjust schedules quickly. The solver returns results asynchronously, so the process is not instantaneous, but you can continue using the Pulse interface while optimization runs.

For the same steps in the swimlane, vertical swimlane, map view, or schedule calendar, see One-off optimization.

Limitations

Before you begin

Before starting, familiarize yourself with:

Two ways to optimize from Pulse

There are two ways to run one-off optimization in Pulse:

1. Optimize the current schedule

Click the Optimize button at the top-right of the Pulse scheduling view.

Pulse optimize button screenshot

  • This option optimizes all work across all resources visible in your current schedule view.
  • It does not include new work or jobs selected from the work list.
  • The scheduling window defaults to the days currently visible in the Pulse view, and you can change it in the modal.

2. Optimize selected work from the work list

Select one or more jobs from the work list and choose the Optimize action.

Pulse optimize from work list screenshot

  • This option optimizes all selected work and any other work already scheduled in the scheduling window you choose.
  • You can configure the scheduling window in the modal that appears.

Configure the Optimize modal

Clicking Optimize from either option opens the Optimize settings modal.

Optimize settings modal screenshot

In the modal, you can:

  • Select an optimization recipe for the run.
    Search your active recipes by name and see each recipe’s description under the field. Your default recipe is preselected and marked (default).
    See Create recipes for details.
  • Set the scheduling window by choosing a start date and a date range of 1 to 365 days.
    • For the “current schedule” option, the scheduling window defaults to the days you are viewing in Pulse, and you can change it.
    • If the start date is in the past, the modal warns you and only optimizes from today onward.
  • Review the scope summary, which shows how many work items and resources will be optimized and updates as you change the recipe or dates.
    • Hover over the info icon to see the regions included and how already-scheduled work is handled.
    • If there’s nothing to optimize, for example there are no work items or every work item is locked, the modal tells you why before you start.
  • Choose how the results are saved: select Preview first to review the results before applying them to the schedule, or Auto-apply to apply them as soon as they’re ready.

You don’t need to name the run. Each run is named automatically from its regions, dates, and recipe, so it’s easy to find later.

Once all settings are configured, click Start to initiate the optimization run.

Running the optimization

  • The optimization runs in the background.
  • You can continue working in Pulse while the solver completes.
  • A confirmation message appears when the optimization is ready, allowing you to view the results.

Optimization in progress screenshot

Viewing results

Click Ready to view results to open the optimized schedule.

  • If you chose Auto-apply, the results are applied to the schedule automatically.
  • If you chose Preview first, you can either Apply to schedule the jobs according to the optimized results or Reject to discard them.
  • Rejected results cannot be applied later.
  • Results that are neither applied nor rejected can be accessed from the Optimization History page.

See Optimization Results for more details.

Tips for Pulse optimization

  • When using the current schedule option, check the start date and date range in the modal, because they default to the days visible in Pulse.
  • Selecting specific work from the work list allows more targeted optimization without affecting other jobs outside your chosen window.
  • Always review the number of jobs and resources to avoid unintentionally including or excluding work from the optimization.