Job Complexity
Job complexity allows you to assign difficulty scores to jobs and ensure fair workload distribution across resources. This feature helps balance not just the number of jobs or time spent, but the actual difficulty and mental/physical load on workers.
Overview
The complexity feature enables:
- Assigning complexity scores to jobs based on difficulty
- Fair distribution of complex work across resources
- Setting min/max complexity limits per resource period
- Balancing complexity per trip or per resource
Basic Complexity Configuration
Setting Job Complexity
Assign complexity values to jobs on a scale that makes sense for your business:
{
"jobs": [
{
"name": "simple-delivery",
"location": {"latitude": 52.520, "longitude": 13.405},
"duration": 1800,
"complexity": 1 // Simple task
},
{
"name": "technical-installation",
"location": {"latitude": 52.523, "longitude": 13.401},
"duration": 3600,
"complexity": 5 // Complex task requiring expertise
},
{
"name": "hazardous-material-handling",
"location": {"latitude": 52.517, "longitude": 13.388},
"duration": 2700,
"complexity": 8 // High complexity due to safety requirements
}
],
"resources": [
{
"name": "senior-tech",
"shifts": [{
"from": "2024-03-15T08:00:00Z",
"to": "2024-03-15T17:00:00Z"
}]
},
{
"name": "junior-tech",
"shifts": [{
"from": "2024-03-15T08:00:00Z",
"to": "2024-03-15T17:00:00Z"
}]
}
]
}
Choose a complexity scale that reflects your business needs. Common scales include:
- 1-10 (simple to very complex)
- 1-100 (fine-grained difficulty)
- 1-5 (basic categorization)
Fair Complexity Distribution
Balancing Complexity Per Trip
Ensure each trip has a balanced mix of complex and simple jobs:
{
"options": {
"fairComplexityPerTrip": true
},
"jobs": [
{
"name": "complex-repair",
"complexity": 8,
"duration": 3600
},
{
"name": "routine-check-1",
"complexity": 2,
"duration": 1200
},
{
"name": "routine-check-2",
"complexity": 2,
"duration": 1200
},
{
"name": "moderate-task",
"complexity": 5,
"duration": 2400
}
]
}
Balancing Complexity Per Resource
Distribute total complexity fairly across all resources:
{
"options": {
"fairComplexityPerResource": true
},
"weights": {
"fairComplexityPerResourceWeight": 100 // Importance of fair distribution
}
}
The solver will try to ensure each resource gets a similar total complexity score across their shifts, preventing burnout from consistently handling difficult tasks.
Resource Period Complexity Limits
Set minimum and maximum complexity constraints per period:
{
"resources": [
{
"name": "experienced-tech",
"periods": [
{
"name": "weekly-limit",
"period": "WEEK",
"maxComplexity": 100, // Max 100 complexity points per week
"minComplexity": 20 // At least 20 points (avoid underutilization)
}
],
"shifts": [{
"from": "2024-03-15T08:00:00Z",
"to": "2024-03-15T17:00:00Z"
}]
},
{
"name": "new-tech",
"periods": [
{
"name": "training-period",
"period": "DAY",
"maxComplexity": 15 // Limited complexity during training
}
],
"shifts": [{
"from": "2024-03-15T08:00:00Z",
"to": "2024-03-15T17:00:00Z"
}]
}
]
}
Use Cases
Skill-Based Workload Management
Balance complex technical work across skilled technicians:
{
"jobs": [
{
"name": "server-migration",
"complexity": 10, // Highest complexity
"tags": [{"name": "senior-only", "hard": true}]
},
{
"name": "cable-installation",
"complexity": 3,
"tags": [{"name": "certified-tech", "hard": true}]
},
{
"name": "routine-maintenance",
"complexity": 1
}
],
"options": {
"fairComplexityPerResource": true
}
}
Physical Demand Balancing
Distribute physically demanding tasks fairly:
{
"jobs": [
{
"name": "heavy-lifting-delivery",
"complexity": 8, // High physical demand
"load": [200] // 200kg
},
{
"name": "document-delivery",
"complexity": 1, // Low physical demand
"load": [5] // 5kg
}
],
"resources": [
{
"name": "driver-1",
"periods": [{
"period": "DAY",
"maxComplexity": 40 // Limit daily physical strain
}]
}
]
}
Mental Load Distribution
Balance cognitively demanding tasks:
{
"jobs": [
{
"name": "security-audit",
"complexity": 9, // High mental load
"duration": 14400 // 4 hours
},
{
"name": "routine-inspection",
"complexity": 2, // Low mental load
"duration": 3600 // 1 hour
}
],
"options": {
"fairComplexityPerTrip": true // Mix complex and simple in each trip
}
}
Integration with Other Features
Combine complexity with skill requirements:
{
"jobs": [
{
"name": "advanced-repair",
"complexity": 8,
"tags": [
{"name": "certified", "hard": true},
{"name": "experienced", "weight": 50}
]
}
]
}
With Time Windows
Complex jobs during optimal hours:
{
"jobs": [
{
"name": "precision-work",
"complexity": 10,
"windows": [
["2024-03-15T09:00:00Z", "2024-03-15T12:00:00Z"] // Morning when fresh
]
}
]
}
Best Practices
Define Clear Complexity Scale
Create a documented scale that all planners understand and apply consistently
Consider Multiple Factors
Include physical demand, mental load, risk level, and skill requirements in complexity scores
Monitor Distribution
Use the solution’s complexity distribution to ensure fairness over time
Adjust Weights
Fine-tune fairComplexityPerResourceWeight and fairComplexityPerTripWeight based on your priorities
Constraints and Violations
The following constraints relate to complexity:
| Constraint | Description | Type |
|---|
RESOURCE_PERIOD_MAX_COMPLEXITY | Exceeded maximum complexity in period | hard |
RESOURCE_PERIOD_MIN_COMPLEXITY | Below minimum complexity in period | medium |
FAIR_COMPLEXITY_PER_TRIP | Uneven complexity distribution in trips | soft |
FAIR_COMPLEXITY_PER_RESOURCE | Uneven complexity across resources | soft |
Tips for Implementation
Start Conservative: Begin with optional complexity (soft constraints) before making them mandatory. This helps identify appropriate limits.
Review Regularly: Analyze complexity distribution in solutions to refine your scoring system and limits.
Combine with Fairness: Use complexity alongside the general work fairness features for comprehensive workload balancing.
