What is the purpose of the Combing Chart?
The combing chart checks how well groups of staffed classes will fit into the timetable. It is useful to do this process before scheduling.
Classes must be staffed and blocks must be built before using the combing chart.
Blocks are staffed by teams of teachers. Where at least one teacher is allocated to two blocks, these blocks cannot be scheduled at the same time. If there are 4 periods per blocks, then the combing chart will comb the two blocks into 8 periods.
Ideally, in a 25 period cycle, for example, every department would comb into no more than 21 periods. Where a department combs into 26 periods, scheduling is impossible and there is no point in proceeding until the plan has been changed. Usually this is done by adjusting the combinations of teachers on blocks.
Most combing is done by department, but where staff teach more than one subject, multiple departments will need to be combed together.
Successful combing does not guarantee that the schedule will fit. The combing chart does not take into account the one-per-day rule, part time teachers, facility limitations or double session requirements. It is recommended that users consider running Partial Schedule Trials also.
Reviewed 29/10/2015