ScheduleFlowLab rotation directory
Compare the shift pattern before you generate the dates.
A familiar pattern name is only a starting clue. Compare the real work-and-rest order, shift timing, crew assignment and anchor date, then open the focused generator that matches the roster you have verified.
THE LABEL IS NOT THE SCHEDULE
The exact sequence and anchor determine the dated result.
Organizations sometimes use the same shift-pattern name for different crew orders, day/night arrangements or changeover rules. Before generating dates, write down what each position in the cycle means and identify a real calendar date that corresponds to a known point in that sequence.
The pages in this directory help translate a confirmed rotation into calendar dates. They do not replace an employer-issued roster, collective agreement, staffing decision, fatigue-risk process or applicable workplace requirement.
PATTERN FINDER
Find the rotation that matches your confirmed cycle.
Search by name, work/rest idea or duty style. Every matching card opens a dedicated ScheduleFlowLab generator.
Showing matching shift patterns.
2-2-3 Schedule
Map the familiar two-on, two-off, three-on cadence across real dates and review the mirrored work-and-rest blocks that complete the repeating rotation.
- Core idea
- Alternating 2/2/3 blocks
- Verify first
- Cycle-day anchor and crew phase
DuPont Schedule
Work with a named multi-week rotation that combines day duty, night duty and longer off-duty blocks across a repeating crew cycle.
- Core idea
- Day/night blocks across multiple weeks
- Verify first
- Crew order and changeover points
Pitman Schedule
Generate a Pitman-labeled work-and-rest cycle while keeping the local crew phase, day/night assignment and starting point explicit.
- Core idea
- Alternating work and off blocks
- Verify first
- Your organization's exact sequence
Panama Schedule
Apply a Panama-labeled, 2-2-3-style rotation to dated calendars after confirming how your workplace defines its crews and day/night sequence.
- Core idea
- 2-2-3-style work/rest cadence
- Verify first
- Local naming and crew assignment
4 On 4 Off Schedule
Repeat a clear block of four work periods followed by four off periods and see how that nonweekly cycle moves across calendar weekdays.
- Core idea
- Four on, then four off
- Verify first
- Shift length, start time and first work date
24/48 Schedule
Map one 24-hour duty period followed by 48 hours off, using a verified duty-start time and crew anchor to keep the repeating dates aligned.
- Core idea
- 24-hour duty followed by 48 off
- Verify first
- Duty start and crew anchor
No matching shift pattern found
Try a broader term such as “alternating”, “four off”, “day and night” or “24/48”.
COMPARISON VIEW
Compare the repeat logic, not just the pattern name.
This overview helps you choose a starting page. Confirm the exact implementation against a trusted roster before relying on generated dates.
| Pattern | Repeat idea | Typical cycle | Critical detail to confirm | Generator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-2-3 | Alternating two-day and three-day work/rest blocks | Often fourteen days | Known cycle day and crew phase | Open |
| DuPont | Day and night blocks with longer off-duty periods | Often four weeks | Exact crew sequence and transitions | Open |
| Pitman | Alternating work and off blocks, commonly with extended shifts | Often fourteen days | Local sequence and day/night phase | Open |
| Panama | A 2-2-3-style alternating rotation | Often fourteen days | How the name is used by your organization | Open |
| 4 On 4 Off | Four consecutive work periods followed by four off | Eight days | Shift duration and day/night changeover | Open |
| 24/48 | One 24-hour duty period followed by 48 hours off | Seventy-two hours | Duty start time and crew anchor | Open |
FROM NAME TO DATED ROTATION
Use a disciplined check before publishing any generated calendar.
A correct repeating calculation can still produce the wrong roster when its sequence, anchor or crew phase is wrong.
Write the cycle exactly
Record each work, off, day and night position in the order your organization actually uses. Do not infer the sequence from the pattern name alone.
Tie the cycle to a known date
Identify a real date with a known cycle position. That anchor controls where every later work and rest period lands on the calendar.
Confirm phase and shift
Check which crew begins in which position and whether it is assigned to days, nights or a planned rotation between them.
Separate changes from the base
Leave, training, overtime and swaps should be visible exceptions. They should not silently rewrite the underlying repeating pattern.
Compare known roster dates
Check generated output against more than one trusted roster date, including dates on both sides of a work/off transition.
FIT AND FATIGUE STILL REQUIRE REVIEW
A repeating pattern does not prove that a schedule is safe or suitable.
The pattern describes timing; it does not evaluate workload, staffing levels, qualifications, overtime, recovery, travel, individual circumstances or local rules. NIOSH notes that work schedules vary in shift length, start time, work/off sequence, weekends and rotation direction, and that researchers cannot recommend one best design for every setting. Review the NIOSH work-schedule overview, then apply the policies and professional review relevant to your workplace.
USE THE RIGHT COLLECTION
A rotation generator is not the right tool for every schedule.
Use this hub when the job is to apply named repeating work-and-rest logic. Choose a different ScheduleFlowLab collection when the real task is flexible calendar building, reusable layouts or learning a planning method.
SHIFT-PATTERN QUESTIONS
Choose and verify a rotation with fewer assumptions.
These answers explain how to use the directory. The dedicated generator pages contain the controls and instructions for their own rotation.
What is a shift pattern?
A shift pattern is an ordered, repeating sequence of work periods and off periods. Some patterns also define day/night assignments, crew phases or longer blocks of recovery time.
Why do I need an anchor date?
A repeating sequence has no calendar position until a known date is tied to a specific place in the cycle. If the anchor is wrong, the generator can repeat the correct sequence on the wrong dates.
Are 2-2-3, Pitman and Panama always the same?
No. The names can be used for closely related rotations, but organizations may differ in crew order, day/night assignment, shift timing or the point at which the cycle begins. Confirm the local definition before choosing a generator.
Why can a nonweekly pattern move across weekdays?
A repeating cycle such as four on and four off does not fit evenly into a seven-day week. As the cycle repeats, its work and off periods naturally land on different weekdays.
Can a generator verify staffing or legal compliance?
No. A generator applies the sequence and settings you enter. It cannot determine required headcount, qualifications, fatigue controls, breaks, overtime, contract terms or legal compliance for a specific workplace.
What should I verify before sharing the output?
Check the cycle order, anchor date, crew phase, shift start and duration, day/night assignment, known exceptions and several trusted roster dates. Use the official workplace process for final approval.
Where should I build a normal weekly employee schedule?
Use Schedule Tools when you need a flexible weekly, daily, monthly or employee schedule rather than a named repeating rotation.