Staff scheduling at a coffee shop using linear programming model

This study modified a linear programming model to represent a working schedule with the optimum number of staff in every shift to fulfil the current workload at a local coffee shop. This coffee shop deals with number of shifts that is not usual which is seven shifts compared to any other companies which is usually three or four shifts. This problem can lead to overstaffing as the working shifts are too packed. The staff working schedule must be the best possible scenario that could optimize all the resources owned, at the same time satisfies all the operational constraints. The challenge is to adjust the working schedule that could allow least number of staff working in a week. A Binary Linear Programming model is utilized to determine the shifts duties for each workers considering the rest day between working shifts, the required number of staff for each shift and other constraints. Model is solved using Open Solver. New schedule needs a total of 100 working shifts in seven days, as compared to the current schedule of 378 working shifts for the same duration. A new schedule was developed with the aim of maximizing the number of employees at a coffee shop during regular business hours to avoid understaffing during peak hours. In conclusion, the proposed mathematical model can provide a quick solution in maximizing the number of workers during seven days schedule of working.