Observation Planning
Generator of statistically valid random observations
Overview
The Planning module is the statistical heart of the application. This is where the random observation plan that guarantees the scientific validity of the study is generated.
Randomness is essential in Work Sampling: always observing at the same time would introduce biases that would invalidate the results.
Plan Configuration
General Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Observations per day | How many observations to generate each working day | 30 obs/day |
| Working days | Which days of the week to include | Mon-Fri |
| Working schedule | Range of hours for the observations | 08:00 - 17:00 |
Multiple Time Slots
If your workday has breaks (lunch, rests), you can configure multiple time slots:
Example: Workday with lunch break
Configuration Per Day
Each day can have its own schedule configuration. This is useful when:
- Fridays with a reduced workday
- Rotating shifts
- Special days with different schedules
Random Generation Algorithm
The algorithm guarantees a uniform and random distribution of observations:
🔢 Generation process
- 1 Calculates total available time (time slots × days)
- 2 Divides the day into minimum intervals (typically 1 minute)
- 3 Selects N random moments using uniform distribution
- 4 Verifies minimum separation between consecutive observations
- 5 Sorts chronologically and assigns to each work station
Calendar View
Once the plan is generated, you can view it in an interactive calendar that shows:
- Daily view: Ordered list of all observations of the day
- Weekly view: Summary of observations per day
- Status indicators: Pending, Completed, Missed
- Overall progress: Study progress bar
Observation States
Not yet performed
Observation registered
Could not be performed
Regenerate the Plan
You can regenerate the observation plan at any time:
- Regenerate specific day: Only affects pending observations for that day
- Regenerate all: Creates a new complete plan (⚠️ already registered observations are kept)
⚠️ Important
Regenerating the plan does not delete already registered observations. It only affects pending (unperformed) observations.
Add Additional Days
If you need to extend the study beyond the original dates:
- Click on "+ Add Days"
- Specify how many additional days
- The system automatically generates new random observations
Statistical Distribution
The generator ensures observations are evenly distributed throughout the study period, avoiding:
- Excessive concentration at certain hours
- Predictable patterns that workers can anticipate
- Biases from high/low activity periods
💡 Pro tip
For long studies (+2 weeks), regenerate the plan weekly. This keeps randomness and prevents workers from memorizing the patterns.