Enable jobs to be interrupted by breaks and resumed afterward
Resumable jobs allow long-duration tasks to be interrupted by scheduled breaks and then resumed, ensuring both task completion and compliance with break requirements. This feature is essential for managing lengthy service appointments alongside mandatory rest periods.
The resumable jobs feature enables:
Set the resumable
flag on jobs that can be interrupted:
Default Behavior: Jobs are non-resumable by default (resumable: false
). Only explicitly mark jobs as resumable when interruption is acceptable.
Job Starts
Technician begins the resumable job at scheduled time
Break Time Arrives
When break window is reached, current job is paused
Break Taken
Resource takes the scheduled break (at depot or current location)
Job Resumes
After break completion, job automatically resumes where it left off
Job Completes
Remaining duration is completed after the break
For a 4-hour resumable job with a 1-hour lunch break:
Handle extended service calls with mandatory breaks:
Manage multi-hour installations with regulated breaks:
Extended patient care with mandatory rest periods:
Most flexible - solver optimizes when to interrupt:
Interrupts based on accumulated driving time:
Resource completely unavailable - resumable jobs pause:
Identify Interruptible Work
Only mark jobs resumable if the work can actually be paused safely
Consider Customer Impact
Ensure customers are aware that service may include break periods
Set Realistic Durations
Account for any setup/cleanup time needed when resuming
Combine with Time Windows
Use time windows to ensure resumable jobs fit within acceptable hours
Combine resumable and non-resumable jobs:
Long jobs interrupted by multiple breaks:
Important Considerations:
Solver Behavior:
Resumable jobs add complexity to route optimization:
Factor | Impact |
---|---|
Few resumable jobs | Minimal impact |
Many resumable jobs | Moderate impact |
Complex break patterns | Higher impact |
Tight time windows | Highest impact |
Job Not Scheduled Despite Being Resumable
Causes:
Solutions:
Inefficient Break Placement
Causes:
Solutions:
Customer Dissatisfaction
Causes:
Solutions:
Balance complex resumable work:
Assign resumable jobs to preferred resources:
Configure various break types and rules
Coordinate job timing with breaks
Balance workload with resumable jobs
Additional scheduling constraints