Timetabling: a shared services model

Abstract

This paper identifies common timetabling issues and options as experienced in Australian universities, and develops a rationale to inform management decisions on a suitable system and the associated policies, procedures, management structure and resources at the University of Newcastle, to enable more effective timetabling in line with the needs of its students and staff, and the organisation. To strive for effective management and production of timetabling there are key elements to consider. These are policy and process; technology; people including culture; and communication. The change has to be managed and led, and each stage considered and evaluated. The literature and responses to the survey that was sent to a number of universities to complete, provided an overview of what is effective at a number of institutions in terms of a timetabling system, policy, procedures, structure and resources. It also identified key issues and how they were resolved, worked around or are still being tackled at various universities.