Compare the operating models
A synthetic colour service uses staff+chair for twenty minutes, chair only for thirty, then staff+chair for ten. The customer is present for sixty minutes but active staff work totals thirty.
| Business requirement | One continuous block | Stage-specific occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 minutes | Staff+chair occupied | Preparation: staff+chair |
| 20–50 minutes | Staff still blocked | Processing: chair only |
| 50–60 minutes | Staff+chair occupied | Finish: staff+chair |
Work through the chosen model
Stage records name offset, duration and required resources. The customer appointment retains the full start/end. Staff availability follows assigned stages only if the system and operating practice can reliably keep the return stage; otherwise reserve the safer continuous block under supplied policy.
- Choose the full service time
- Allocate stage resources
- Return staff for the finish stage
Stages can reflect real operations but are harder to maintain when durations vary. Ask the supplier to demonstrate the return stage before accepting a staged model.
A 10:00 start occupies the chair to 11:00. Staff are assigned 10:00–10:20 and 10:50–11:00. The middle gap is not automatically a sellable thirty-minute appointment including travel or preparation.
When the other model fits
Staff must supervise continuously during processing. Still release the middle stage?
Show the worked answer
No. The actual dependency is continuous staff occupation.