What features could Harri add to its workforce management system to better support employee scheduling in restaurants?

Introduction

To improve Harri's workforce management system for employee scheduling in restaurants, we need to focus on enhancing efficiency, flexibility, and user experience. I'll analyze the current system, identify key pain points, and propose innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of restaurant scheduling.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (5 mins)

• Looking at the restaurant industry context, I'm thinking Harri might be facing challenges with high employee turnover and variable demand. Could you share insights on the average employee tenure and how demand fluctuations impact scheduling?

Why it matters: Determines if we should focus on onboarding efficiency or advanced forecasting features Expected answer: High turnover (3-6 months) and significant demand variability Impact on approach: Would prioritize quick onboarding and dynamic scheduling features

• Considering the mobile-first nature of many restaurant workers, I'm curious about the current platform usage. What's the split between mobile and desktop usage for managers and employees when interacting with the scheduling system?

Why it matters: Influences UI/UX design decisions and feature prioritization Expected answer: 70% mobile for employees, 50% mobile for managers Impact on approach: Would focus on mobile-optimized features and cross-device synchronization

• Given the complex nature of restaurant operations, I'm wondering about integration capabilities. How well does Harri currently integrate with other restaurant management systems like POS or inventory management?

Why it matters: Determines the need for enhanced integration features Expected answer: Basic integrations exist, but there's room for improvement Impact on approach: Would explore advanced API development and partnerships

• Considering the evolving labor laws and compliance requirements, how does Harri currently handle regulatory compliance for scheduling across different regions?

Why it matters: Influences the priority of compliance-related features Expected answer: Basic compliance features exist, but keeping up with changes is challenging Impact on approach: Would consider developing a more robust, adaptable compliance module