Understanding the Allocation Engines Recommendations

Understanding the allocation engines recommendations

The allocation engine makes recommendations as to which child should be allocated a place based on consideration of the following

1. The Preferences provided by a family for their child (service or program)
2. The Priority score calculated for a child - learn more about priority scores here
3. The capacity for a service / program - learn more about managing capacity here

Parameters vs Filters/Sorts

By applying a set of parameters to the allocation engine, this will ensure that only those children that match the given parameters are considered for the available capacity.

On the other hand, applying a set of filters or changing the sort order will change the display of the recommended allocations but will NOT cause a recalculation of recommended allocations. Sorts or filters simply change or reduce the number of children in view.

Customisations / Options that affect your Allocation Engines Recommendation Approach

To support different organisations requirements for allocation processes, EnrolNow has various approaches which can be customised to meet your requirements for allocation. 

1. Priority Approach: your CSM can update back end settings of the allocation engine to meet your specific needs. The following three options are available for your consideration
   • Vertical: the Allocation Engine will  read through the children by the highest score to lowest score for preference 1 first, before then moving on to all preference 2's from highest to lowest score etc.
   • Horizontal: the Allocation Engine will read through the children by the highest score to lowest score. All children for the higher score will be considered for all preferences before moving on to the next score. Achievement of preference 1, 2 or 3 will be a random ballot.
   • Hybrid: The AE will read through the children by the highest score to lowest score. All children for the higher score will be considered for 1st preferences before then 2nd and 3rd (etc). All children for the higher score will be considered for all preferences before moving on to the next score. 
2. Include or Exclude Negative Scores: your CSM can update back end settings of the allocation engine to meet your specific needs. If you wish to exclude some children from consideration (eg. to manage allocation rounds) we recommend that these children who should be excluded are temporarily updated with a negative score for exclusion
3. Allocation Method: This is used to determine the approach that should be taken when allocating children who have the same score and have submitted the same preferences. You can select either allocation method from the parameters section of the allocation engine.