About Weight and Best Values

The Weight and Best values you apply when performing Automatic Runcutting generally determine the types of runs that are created.

Rule of Thumb

The higher the weighting, the more desirable the run type. In the Union Contracts dialog box, the value you type in the Weight column for a run type tells the system what your preferred run types are while the value you type in the Weight column for the contract rule associated with the run type tells the system how the runs can be created based on the run type.

When cutting all run types at once, the following concepts apply to the Best and Weight columns in the Union Contract dialog box:

  • For one-piece runs (for example, Straights): In the Weight field of the selected straight run type: Type a value, for example, 15000, in the Weight field of the selected straight run type. The weight you type is an indication that you favor this run type more than a less desirable run type (for example, Trippers). In the Weight field of the Platform contract rule, you MUST type 1. This enables this contract rule.
  • For multi-piece runs (for example, AM Combo/Split): In the Weight field of the selected split run type: Type a value indicating how you favor this run type over the other run types, for example, 12000. Multi-piece runs are also desirable for full-time pieces of work. In the Weight field of the Piece Time contract rule, you MUST type 1. This enables this contract rule.
  • In Automatic Runcutting, part-time pieces are always easy to cut as they are traditionally the least expensive. Keep in mind that in most cases, part-timers do not get paid Travel and Overtime so there may be a tendency to cut as many of these as you can get away with. Therefore, you must penalize them (make them less desirable) or you must not cut these types of runs first. For example, in the Weight field of the selected part-time run type, type a value between 1000 to 5000 as a start. Whether the part-time run type is a single or multi-piece run, be sure to type 1 in the Weight field of the requisite contract rule (Platform or Piece Time).
  • Adjust your contract rules to help penalize run types by enabling/disabling the Platform or Piece Time contract rule.
  • If you only want runs of a certain type, set the other run types to zero (0) in the In Use column of the Run Type frame.