Design and Evaluation of Smart Scheduling Function for Swedish Preschools : A study of design and implementation for an algorithm-based scheduling solution

Sammanfattning

This thesis examines how algorithmic decision support can be integrated into the scheduling practices of Swedish preschools. Scheduling is a sociotechnical activity shaped by legal requirements, pedagogical rhythms, fairness norms, and tacit professional knowledge. Through three iterative cycles of design, prototyping, and participatory evaluation, the study explores how these con- straints can be formalised computationally and how algorithmic proposals can be made transparent and configurable for users of Tempus Admin. A rule-based prototype was developed using hard and soft constraints with adjustable weights. The system explains decisions, visualises rule conflicts, and allows users to compare multiple scheduling alternatives. Practitioner evaluations show that algorithmic scheduling is most valuable when it supports professional judgement, reduces administrative work, and makes reasoning vis- ible, rather than when it maximises optimisation. The study finds that fairness is understood relationally, that weekly stability is essential, and that hybrid scheduling strategies are preferred. The thesis con- tributes: a transparent constraint model, empirical insights on explainability and user control, and design principles for sociotechnical scheduling systems.