Agile workforce planning for smarter logistics
Use our checklist to identify hidden potential in your working time processes–and boost efficiency, flexibility, and responsiveness across the supply chain.
How well is your logistics operation managing workforce scheduling today? Our checklist shows how transport and logistics companies can actively involve their staff in working time management using smart, digital tools. From picking to delivery, discover how to streamline processes, adapt to demand shifts, and build a more agile, efficient logistics operation.
How do you actively involve logistics employees in working time management?
The logistics sector is labor-intensive and subject to significant seasonal and order-related fluctuations—whether in picking, at pick-and-put stations, or in fleet operations.
Customer demands for fast delivery, short-term product availability, and competitive pricing, especially in the face of international competition, further raise the bar. To meet these challenges, maximum flexibility and efficient personnel processes are essential. An intelligent workforce management solution puts transport and logistics companies on the right track.
Every staffing plan must begin with a thorough analysis and solid forecast of capacity and demand. Only then can working times be optimized, market fluctuations absorbed, and downtime minimized.
An agile personnel infrastructure and fluid background processes are also essential for efficient execution. Managing these processes in a smart, needs-based, and employee-friendly way is a strategic challenge—and a critical part of future-proof workforce management.
For logistics companies of all sizes, considering employees’ needs in working time design is essential. Strict top-down planning and rigid shift models are inadequate for handling volatile markets and fluctuating demand peaks. Flexible working time models that include preferred shift schedules or shift-swapping options not only improve employee satisfaction and support work-life balance. They also increase motivation and flexibility, which in turn boosts productivity across the entire supply chain—from goods receipt and picking to last-mile delivery.
A professional workforce management solution gives logistics organizations greater internal agility and resilience.
What to consider when involving employees in working time management
How can your logistics company benefit from stronger employee involvement in working time management? Use the following questions to assess where there may be room for improvement.
1. Transparency and access to working time data
Do employees have real-time visibility into their working time accounts?
Are both employees and managers informed of upcoming tasks within the system?
Do employees have mobile access to time-related data via an app?
2. Digital request and approval processes
Are approvals handled through electronic workflows?
Can managers approve or reject requests with a single click in the tool?
Can vacation requests be submitted anytime, from anywhere, using a digital platform?
Can employees specify multiple vacation preferences?
Are approved vacations automatically transferred into the time management system?
3. Shift planning and preferences
Can employees submit preferences for their shift schedules?
Are these preferences submitted electronically?
Are both shift preferences and approved vacations clearly visible in the planning tool?
4. Shift swapping and flexibility
Is there a digital platform for shift exchanges?
Are required qualifications automatically verified during shift swaps?
Does the system automatically check legal, contractual, and internal compliance during shift changes?
Are swapped shifts automatically updated in both the planning system and time management system?
In the event of employee absence, are shift offers made available via an app or online tool?
