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A Decision Support System Improves Course Timetabling at the University of Waikato

In this paper we outline recent research into the complex and difficult task of university course timetabling, which involves both subjective and objective information and expert judgement. We go on describe the development and use of a decision support system, called SlotManager, for assigning courses to timeslots and rooms within a New Zealand university. SlotManager is designed to augment the expertise of an experienced timetabler, usually in a situation where timetables evolve from one year to the next, rather than being created, ab initio, on each occasion. We report on the successful implementation of the system, as operated by the Waikato Management School. The system is written in Microsoft Access, to run on a personal computer, and provides an effective and user-friendly addition to the university timetabler’s toolkit.