This document follows on from the document E10 - Timetable Construction Preparation Checklist.
It is very important that this document has been referred to prior to beginning to construct a timetable. 

There are two methods to add classes onto the Master grid. These are:

1. Magic squares method
2. Add classes method

A major consideration when choosing which option to use is by how the lines were generated.

1. If lines were not created cohesively, then the Magic squares method may be used.
2. If the lines were created cohesively, (either using multi-year datasets or ‘timetabling around’), then the second method (Add classes) will be used.

E10 advises that lines should be generated cohesively wherever possible. This can be discussed with a Timetable Specialist if required, as generating good cohesive lines goes a long way in achieving a successful timetable. 

Magic squares method

The Magic squares method will try to find a way to bring together each year level's independently generated lines in the Master grid. It will clear any previously assigned staffing (except where classes are hard coded to teachers) to look for a successful staffing and timetabling solution.
It is used when lines have not been generated in multi-year datasets or by using the 'Timetable around' feature. 

Add classes method

As the lines were generated cohesively across multiple year levels, the classes are able to be confidently staffed and timetabled onto the grid with no clashes (barring part timers). This methods involves adding each year level’s classes, bit by bit, onto the Master grid, and analysing at each step. It retains all staffing previously put in place.

This document will outline the general process of building a timetable in the Master Grid using the 'Magic squares' method. The second method is outlined here: E10 - Construct: Add classes method 

Magic squares method

Step/Action	Notes
CTRL+Q	Ensure you have achieved the champagne bottle before starting (Grid > Check everything or CTRL+Q) Also check: Teacher part timer requirements have been updated Class data does not contain any old information in TeacherPref or RoomPref fields Class data contains the required spreads for all classes Subject rooms correctly reflects the rooming options and preferences for each subject.
Master grid	Go to Grid > Master Grid F11 (You may like to ‘Favourite’ this screen, as you will be viewing this screen a lot!) Ensure ‘Best timetable’ is highlighted in blue.
Magic squares	Click the Construct button on the action bar. Go to the Magic Squares tab. Select Yrs 9-12. Change the ‘Periods per typical line’ and ‘Number of typical lines’ to match your senior classes. Click Apply magic squares.
Analyse results	Look at all the timetables that have been produced and each of their their scores. The grids with the lowest penalty scores display first and are usually the best ones.
Staff classes	Select a preferred grid and go Staffing > Staffing tab > Go. E10 will assign staff, within your Subject teacher sets, and shuffle classes around to find a solution. You may perform this action with several different grids to compare results and find the best one.
Analyse results	Click on the Score to see the results. Turn on 'Classes with fallback teachers' to see if any fallback teachers were assigned and decide if this is ok to proceed with.
Select a grid	Select the best grid to proceed with and select Keep.
Assign periods	Go to Construct > Periods > Assign to remove the hash symbols and see the grid codes along the top.
Improve	Go to Improve > Improve tab > Start. Let it run for a few minutes, or until there is no more improvement in the score being shown. *Refer to the link at the bottom of the document on solving clashes if clashes remain. Click on the small arrow in the pop up box to see the changes E10 is attempting.
Add remaining classes	Go to Construct > Classes > select the + symbol > Add.  Enter 8 into the Selection field Add.
Improve	Improve to fix any clashes and optimise.
Add remaining classes	Repeat the above two steps for each additional year level in the file, adding and Improving at each step.
Other tools	There are some further options on how classes can be added to the grid, apart from by year level. As the timetable develops, and if problems are occurring, it may be best to switch tactics in the order of adding classes. If you have classes of a particular faculty that are often hard to timetable, consider adding these classes at an early stage by selecting ‘Classes of faculty’ and entering the exact Faculty name into the Selection field. Class codes: Particular classes can be added, eg 7SCIA. Asterisks serve as wildcards. Eg add all 7SCI classes by entering 7SCI*, or *SCI* to add any year level with a course code of SCI. Year-long classes: Sometimes adding the year-long classes first can be helpful. Only classes with Double periods: May be used if school wants to first add the classes requiring doubles to identify if there are any issues with classes getting their double requests.

---

Setting flexible part timer days off

At some point as the timetable develops, we need to set the part timer days off. When exactly to do this is a tricky point, as each file and part timer requirements are different. Keep in mind – once a teacher’s part time days off are set, E10 timetables their classes around the day/s off. E10 does not attempt to move the day off if it would better suit the timetable as the timetable continues to shuffle around the grid. Therefore, we do not want to set part timer days off too early.

1. ‘Only where forced’: This will assign only teachers where there are no options as to which day they have off. When using this option, repeat this as new year levels are added. Improve to solve any resulting clashes.
2. ‘Only where there are few choices’ or ‘Only where the teacher is partially on the grid’: This will assign only teachers where their timetable is developing. When using this option, repeat this as new year levels are added. Improve to solve any resulting clashes.
3. ‘All part-timer days off’: If all classes are on the grid, then this can be used. Improve to solve any resulting clashes.

It is possible to set the part timer days off, but, as the timetable build proceeds, later clear the set days off, then set them again as the grid further develops. 

Health Check