--- title: "Understand Scheduler, Shift Planner, and Open Shifts" slug: "understand-scheduler-shift-planner-and-open-shifts" tags: ["Assigned Shift", "Open Shift", "Shift Planner"] updated: 2026-08-11T19:09:37Z published: 2026-08-11T19:09:37Z canonical: "help.workeasysoftware.com/understand-scheduler-shift-planner-and-open-shifts" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.workeasysoftware.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Understand Scheduler, Shift Planner, and Open Shifts WorkEasy separates coverage planning from employee assignment. Use **Shift Planner** to record work that still needs people. Use **Scheduler** to manage shifts assigned to specific employees. ## Use Shift Planner for open work An **open shift** describes the date, time, Schedule Criteria, and number of employees needed before every position has been assigned. In Shift Planner, managers can: - Create open shifts. - Specify how many employees are needed. - Publish open shifts. - Monitor remaining coverage needs. - Fill openings through the organization’s configured process. ## Use Scheduler for assigned work An **assigned shift** belongs to a specific employee. Use **Scheduler** to review and manage employee schedules. In Scheduler, managers can: - Review employee schedules by week. - Add shifts for specific employees. - Change assigned shifts. - Publish employee schedules. - Compare planned and actual time when that information is available. ## How Shift Planner and Scheduler work together 1. Create the coverage need in Shift Planner. 2. Review and publish the open shift when it is ready for the configured filling process. 3. Fill the opening through employee pickup, manager selection, direct assignment, or assisted scheduling, depending on your organization’s configuration. 4. After an employee is assigned, manage that employee’s shift in Scheduler. > [!WARNING] > **Important:** Saving an open shift is not the same as publishing it. Employees cannot act on a standard open shift until it enters the configured publishing and filling process. ## Key terms
Open shift
Work that needs one or more employees and has not been fully assigned.
Assigned shift
Work that is already assigned to a named employee.
Schedule Plan
The configuration that controls the workforce, Schedule Criteria, time zone, workflows, and scheduling behavior.
Schedule Criteria
The group or custom-field attributes used to organize and describe scheduled work.
## Related articles - [Create Schedule Criteria](https://help.workeasysoftware.com/docs/create-schedule-criteria) - [Create Schedule Plans](https://help.workeasysoftware.com/docs/create-schedule-plans)