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Creating the perfect running order

Master the art of scheduling with our comprehensive guide to building running orders that minimize dwell time and maximize efficiency.

Auto-Build: Let Compz Do the Heavy Lifting

Compz's auto-build feature uses advanced algorithms to create an optimized running order automatically. It considers:

  • Dwell time minimization: Keeps dancers at the venue for the shortest time possible
  • Section grouping: Groups similar categories, levels, and types together
  • Day balancing: Distributes sections evenly across multi-day competitions
  • Adjudicator time: Adds buffer time between sections for adjudicator notes

Configuration Settings

Day Schedules

Set start and end times for each day of your competition. The auto-builder will fit sections within these windows.

Example:

  • • Saturday: 09:00 - 21:00
  • • Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00

Adjudicator Time

Buffer time (in minutes) added between sections for the adjudicator to write notes and prepare for the next section. Typical values: 5-15 minutes.

Manual Adjustments

Drag & Drop Reordering

After auto-build, you can manually reorder sections by dragging and dropping. Times automatically recalculate based on the new order.

Insert Breaks

Add breaks anywhere in your schedule. Choose from:

  • Short Break: 10-15 minutes for quick refreshments
  • Lunch: 45-60 minutes
  • Dinner: 60-90 minutes
  • Custom: Set your own duration and label

💡 Tip: Use the "Suggest Breaks" feature to automatically identify good break points based on section length and timing.

Merge & Split Sections

Combine multiple small sections into one, or split a large section into smaller groups:

  • Merge: Combine "Primary Solo" and "Primary Duet" into "Primary Mixed"
  • Split: Divide "Intermediate Solo" (40 dancers) into two groups of 20

Conflict Detection

Automatic Conflict Detection

Compz automatically detects scheduling conflicts and suggests fixes:

  • ⚠️Dancer double-booked: Same dancer in two sections at overlapping times
  • ⚠️Group conflicts: Group members needed in different sections simultaneously
  • ⚠️Excessive dwell time: Dancers waiting more than 4 hours between routines

View all conflicts in the Conflicts tab and apply suggested fixes with one click.

Best Practices

Group Similar Sections

Keep similar categories and levels together. Parents appreciate not having to wait hours between their child's routines.

Schedule Strategic Breaks

Place lunch around 12:00-13:00 and dinner around 17:00-18:00. Avoid breaks right before or after small sections.

Balance Your Days

For multi-day competitions, try to balance the number of sections and total duration across days.

Publish Early

Publish your programme at least 1 week before the competition so parents can plan their day and arrange childcare if needed.

Ready to build your programme?

Let Compz's auto-build feature create the perfect running order in seconds.

Create Competition