# Operator planning (https://docs.pulsarml.com/guides/settings/operator-planning)

Plan which operator works each machine and shift once, and let Pulsar assign them automatically at the start of every shift.



Operator planning is for operations where the same worker stays on a machine for long periods, whether days, weeks or months. You plan the assignments once and Pulsar applies them automatically on every shift, which means less manual work in the platform and automatic operator tracking for more accurate, reliable analytics.

<Callout title="Video">
  [Watch how to do it](https://app.trupeer.ai/view/uk8BMKRSr)

  , step by step.
</Callout>

## Create an operator plan [#create-an-operator-plan]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Download the template [#download-the-template]

    Go to **Settings** > **Operators** and open the **Operator Planning** tab. Click **Download Template** to get the `.csv` template.

    The file has four columns: `operator`, `machine`, `day` and `shift`. Add one row per operator, machine, day of the week and shift, as in the template's sample row: `John Doe`, `Machine 1`, `monday`, `morning`:

    * **operator** and **machine**: the names exactly as they appear in Pulsar.
    * **day**: the day of the week, such as `monday`.
    * **shift**: `morning`, `afternoon`, `night` or `day`.

    <Screenshot id="operator-planning-download-template" alt="The Operator Settings page, opened from Settings > Operators, with the Operator Planning tab selected next to Operator List. At the top right, the Download Template and Upload New Plan buttons. Below, the plans table with the columns Planning Name, Start Date, End Date, Status, Info and Action." width="1440" height="900" />
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Upload your plan [#upload-your-plan]

    Click **Upload New Plan**. In step 1, give the plan a **Plan name**, a **Start Date** and a **Start Time**, and choose when it **Ends**:

    * **Never**: the plan remains active indefinitely.
    * **On date**: set an **End Date** and **End Time** for it to expire. They must be after the start date and time.

    Click **Next**.

    <Screenshot id="operator-planning-upload-plan" alt="Step 1 of the Upload New Plan dialog, with the Plan name field, Start Date and Start Time, the Ends options Never and On date (On date selected), End Date and End Time, and the Cancel and Next buttons." width="1440" height="900" />

    In step 2, select your `.csv` file under **Browse and upload your files** (if it's your first time, you can also download the **sample file** from there). Click **Confirm** to create the plan, or **Back** to change the plan details.

    <Screenshot id="operator-planning-upload-file" alt="Step 2 of the Upload New Plan dialog: an upload area reading Browse and upload your files, with a sample file link, and the Back, Cancel and Confirm buttons." width="1440" height="900" />
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Pulsar assigns the operator [#pulsar-assigns-the-operator]

    When a shift starts, from the date you specified, Pulsar automatically assigns the planned operator. The assignment shows up immediately in the Real Time view.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Change an assignment for one shift [#change-an-assignment-for-one-shift]

For a last-minute change, go to **Databases** in the main menu and open the **Operators** tab. It lists each machine's shifts with their **Machine**, **Date**, **Shift**, **Start Time**, **End Time** and **Operator**. Choose a different operator for that shift from the drop-down in the **Operator** column, without modifying your overall plan. Use the **Operator** and **Assignment** (**Assigned** or **Unassigned**) filters to find the shift.

<Screenshot id="operator-planning-edit-shift" alt="The Databases page on the Operators tab, with the date range and Machines selectors, the Operator and Assignment filters, and the columns Machine, Date, Shift, Start Time, End Time and Operator. One row's Operator drop-down is open, listing the operators to choose from." width="1440" height="900" />

If you have trouble setting up operator planning or need help, contact your Customer Success representative or [raise a support ticket](/guides/getting-started/support-ticket) from the app.