History

Macdonald


Project is introduced - 2005


McGill University's former provost, Dr. Luc Vinet, announced the university's new approach to class timetabling at the February 2, 2005 meeting of Senate.


Evaluation of Product Options


New software (TPHI - Infosilem) was purchased in 2005 in order to provide the tools to appropriately capture all the necessary factors (time, space, room attributes, and other constraints) in order to build a schedule that would serve students and faculty in a more effective manner.


Conduct Pilot, Analysis and Evaluation


Phase 1

Implementation – Macdonald campus

This pilot implementation served as an opportunity to determine the effectiveness of the selected software and as a means to fine tune the process of consultation with academic units, the development of the simulation exercise and other elements of the methodology.


Conduct Scheduling Simulations for Downtown Campus


Phase 2

Implementation - Downtown campus

- Collect detailed academic unit requirements.
- Conduct three simulations

Simulation 1 – basic (internal ES simulation)
- use course-based data as captured in previous scheduling cycle;
- data housed in Enrolment Services enhanced by input collected from academic units regarding scheduling practices.
- Conduct evaluation of simulation outcomes; determine requirements for the next simulation.

Simulation 2 – comprehensive

- collect detailed data from academic units on remaining factors necessary for scheduling;
- including time constraints of instructors as approved by Dean/Chair/Director.
- Conduct simulation during June/July and provide to academic units (scheduling coordinator) for analysis and feedback (due mid-August 2008)

Simulation 3

– incorporate feedback from academic units regarding results of Simulation 2.
- Provide to academic units for review.


Evaluation


- the conclusion of the review points to the need for another simulation to address concerns of some academic units and faculties
- plans for Simulation 4 initiated
- Deans, Chairs and Directors are to ensure that full and complete information is provided to scheduling team to support the success of the project

Adjust Implementation Timeline


- Following the evaluation of the results of Simulation 3, the Provost decided to move the final implementation to 2010.
- Simulation 4 initiated during the spring of 2009
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