University of Twente Student Theses
Efficiently planning Megas at the Court of Law Amsterdam
Marsman, Britt (2024) Efficiently planning Megas at the Court of Law Amsterdam.
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| Abstract: | This research addresses critical challenges in the planning and scheduling of legal proceedings at the Court of Law Amsterdam, with a specific focus on complex cases known as Megas. These cases demand significant resources and time commitments from judges and clerks, posing complexities in resource allocation and time management. The research aims to identify how the planning and scheduling of Megas can be done efficiently, ensuring a more even distribution of cases over time and optimizing resource utilization. The Court of Law Amsterdam holds a pivotal position in the Dutch judicial system, handling a diverse range of cases annually and playing a crucial role in upholding the rule of law in the region. However, the uneven distribution of Mega cases throughout the year, unforeseen cancellations, and security concerns present challenges in planning and scheduling. The described problem leads to the formulation of the main research question: ‘How can the Court of Law Amsterdam optimize the process of planning and scheduling Megas?’ Breaking down the main research question into several sub-questions allows for exploration of the current Mega planning situation, review of available literature on planning frameworks, analysis of the gap between current practices and ideal framework, following from literature and practice, and the development of support tools for decision-making. The study aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to streamline planning and scheduling processes at the Court of Law Amsterdam, enhancing resource allocation efficiency and improving the overall effectiveness of legal proceedings. By leveraging insights from the literature on planning and control frameworks in other fields, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and project scheduling, the research bridges the gap in the existing research landscape within the Court of Law Netherlands. In the area of planning and control, various frameworks have been developed, emphasizing hierarchical decision-making structures. These frameworks integrate technological and logistical planning, capacity planning, and materials coordination across different time horizons. Strategic decisions involve long-term resource planning, including workforce capacity dimensioning and case mix planning in healthcare contexts. Tactically, decisions revolve around capacity allocation and admission planning. On the operational front, resource-constrained project scheduling, workforce scheduling, and rescheduling are common challenges addressed. The proposed hierarchical planning framework integrates strategic, tactical, and operational levels of control, addressing deficiencies in current planning functions and processes. We identify several deficiencies, including the lack of a clear plan for accepting cases and allocating resource capacity and the absence of a dedicated Mega scheduling tool. Additionally, the current planning horizon and frequency posed challenges, particularly in aligning with the organisation's and external parties' needs. We propose a redesign of the hierarchical planning framework to address these issues. This includes refining the planning horizon and frequency and implementing a rolling horizon approach. We recommend introducing a rolling horizon of 1.5 years with a planning frequency of every three months at the tactical high level. Next, we recommend keeping the planning horizon of ten months with a rolling planning frequency every two months at the tactical low and operational levels. Furthermore, we recommend enhancing the interaction between control functions. The implementation plan outlines organizational changes, improved access to data during decision-making processes, and adopting dashboards to support data-driven decision-making. Firstly, changing the planning horizon on the high tactical level to a rolling horizon of at least 1.5 years is important. This adjustment is important for enabling better forecasting and resource allocation. Additionally, recommendations are provided on managing uncertainty during the transition period until the new planning horizon is fully implemented. Secondly, there is an emphasis on enhancing access to data during decision-making, particularly at the tactical level. The essential data required for effective decision-making, such as Mega planning status, judge and clerk availability, and other relevant information, are outlined. The report proposes designating specific employees responsible for data management and decision-making based on the available data to facilitate this. Finally, the importance of supporting decisions with a dashboard, which visually represents key data points during meetings, is discussed. The proposed changes aim to enhance the planning process, promote data-driven decision-making, and improve efficiency within the Court of Law Amsterdam. Implementing these recommendations is expected to lead to greater transparency, accountability, and, ultimately, better outcomes for the court. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Programme: | Industrial Engineering and Management MSc (60029) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/98602 |
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