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 |