Shiftplanassistant 3.0 - a Tool for Inno- Vative Shift Rotas Shiftplanassistant 3.0 - a Tool for Innovative Shift Rotas

whereby each system design is closely related to the kind of tasks it should support. The focus in designing the Shiftplanassistant, a system for the design of shift rotas as described in (Gärtner 1995), was on developing tools that support professional shift rota designers in accomplishing their task. The system eases the construction of rotas and allows at the same time for high flexibility in design. This is possible because an interactive approach as opposed to a full automation was chosen. The interactivity further eases participatory design in working groups. In the next section we will discuss the advantages of flexibility, interactivity and participation in a rota design process and give a short introduction to the system. In sections following thereafter three major advantages of the system, (1) independence of the rota from the representation, (2) openness to combining different rotas and working time models and (3) possibility for applying time supplements, will be described. In the conclusion we will discuss experiences made both in consulting and by users and address further developments.