Tidsschemen

Tidsschemen are structured representations of the temporal organization of activities and events. The term, common in Dutch and related languages, describes plans that govern when something happens, for how long, and in what order. A tidsschema can function as a concrete timetable or as a broader planning schema that guides scheduling decisions across days, weeks, or projects. It contrasts with a timetable, which is a fixed listing of times and activities, while a tidsschema emphasizes relationships, sequences, repetition, and constraints.

Applications span education, transportation, operations management, and cognitive science. In education, timetables specify when classes occur and their duration. In industry, time schemas underlie production plans, shift schedules, and project roadmaps. In cognitive psychology, time schemas describe the mental organization of temporal information, such as expected durations and typical event sequences.

Common components include activities, start and end times or durations, dependencies, frequency, and constraints related to resources or deadlines. Types range from static, single-period schemas to dynamic, rolling or recurring schemas. Formats include timelines, calendars, Gantt charts, or sequence diagrams.

Creation typically involves defining objectives, listing activities, estimating durations, establishing precedence, allocating resources, and reviewing against constraints. Tools range from simple calendars to project management software that can optimize schedules.

Limitations include complexity and uncertainty, requiring updates when conditions change. Time zones, daylight saving, and interruptions may necessitate rescheduling. See also scheduling, time management, and calendar systems.