Time Formulas, Rule Templates, Rules, and Rule Sets

You can create time validation, calculation, and compliance rules based on time formulas using rule templates. Then you group rules for the same groups of workers into rule sets.

Component	Description	Relationship Diagram Example
Formulas	Contain the processing logic.	The Hours Rounding rule template uses the Rounding formula. The Daily Summation and Time-Card Level Summation rule templates use the Threshold formula.
Rule templates	Tools that simplify the adaptation of formulas into rules. A template exposes the exact parameters that the associated formula requires and the outputs that the formula uses to return results. For example, a time calculation rule template can have an overtime threshold parameter. And, it can return Payroll Time Type attributes, such as Regular and Overtime, as outputs.	NA
	You can use one formula with multiple rule templates by varying the template configuration.	The Daily Summation rule template uses the Threshold formula to calculate daily totals. The Time-Card Level Summation template uses the same formula to calculate totals for the time card period.
Rules	Create them using a template instead of a formula. The template automatically populates the description of all outputs and helps you enter correct parameter values.	The Round To Nearest Hour rule was created with the Hours Rounding template.
	You can create multiple rules from a single template, varying the parameter and output values of each rule.	Two rules, 8h Daily Threshold and 12h Daily Threshold, were created with the Daily Summation template.
Rule Sets	A collection of rules and rule sets of the same type. You assign these rule sets to groups of workers with similar requirements for vacation, time validation, and time processing using worker time processing profiles.	The Nearest Hour, 8h Daily Threshold rule set has the Round To Nearest Hour and 8h Daily Threshold rules. The 8h, 12h, Daily Thresholds rule set has the 8h and 12h daily threshold rules. The 8h, 12h, 40h Thresholds rule set has the rule set with the 2 daily rules and the 1 weekly threshold rule.

Relationship Diagram

Here's what the relationship among formulas, rule templates, rules, and rule sets look like.

Time Formula, Rule Template, Rule, and Rule Set Types

Use the types to validate, calculate, and process time card data.

Type	Description	Example Rule Usages
Advanced time category	Define advanced conditions that you then associate with a time category.	Create rules to find time events or entries that don't match published schedule times.
Time calculation	Create or update time card entries and uses the data to create calculated results based on formula logic.	Handle overtime or premium pay by updating reported time or creating more calculated time.
Time entry	Validate time card entries and generate a message with a defined severity.	When reported time exceeds a specified weekly maximum, display the specified message.
Workforce compliance	Identify upcoming compliance exceptions by reviewing time card data and unprocessed time events to help you prevent or quickly fix any exceptions.	Notify managers when young people are approaching mandated worked time limits.

References

To access the Workforce Management database items spreadsheet and information about array processing formula, including annotated examples, see the Time and Labor Fast Formula References (document ID 1990057.1).

For information about delivered formulas, see the workforce management and time formula chapters in the Administering Fast Formulas guide.