# How To Generate A Schedule (From A Forecast)

## Objective

Create a draft schedule using a completed forecast as the demand and staffing input.

## Environment

- You have permission to manage **Scheduling**.
- A completed forecast covers the period you want to schedule. Review its required coverage before generation.
- The shift plans and applicable scheduling rules are configured for the people and work involved.

## Resolution

1. Open **Workforce Operations** → **Scheduling** and select **New Schedule**.
2. Select **Generate Schedule**, then **Next**.
3. Enter a **Schedule Name** and choose the completed forecast in **Select Forecast**. ZenOps fills the schedule dates from that forecast; review the **Start Date** and **End Date** and adjust them if needed.
4. Check **Schedule Timezone**. When the forecast has a timezone, this field is locked to the forecast timezone.
5. Select **Generate Schedule**. ZenOps creates a draft, queues a generation run, and opens the schedule planner.
6. Review the generation result, shifts, activities, and any coverage gaps or rule outcomes. Make any needed edits and save the draft before publishing it. See [How To Review An Existing Schedule](/help/articles/review-an-existing-schedule/) for the planner controls.

The forecast supplies demand and staffing requirements; the configured rules constrain the generated plan. For background on that relationship, see [How Forecasts Become Schedules](/help/articles/how-forecasts-become-schedules/).

> Canonical page: https://zenops.cx/help/articles/generate-a-schedule-from-a-forecast/
> Audience: For planners and managers
> Summary: Use a completed forecast to create and review a generated schedule draft.

## Notes on this article

### Note: The forecast controls the timezone

After step 4 in resolution. Selecting a completed forecast sets and locks the schedule timezone so forecast intervals and schedule intervals align.

## Visual references

- After selecting Generate Schedule, configure the draft and link the completed forecast you want to use.: [New Schedule configuration form with schedule name, forecast, date range, timezone, and Generate Schedule button.](https://zenops.cx/help/assets/schedule-generate-configuration.png)
- After generation starts, the schedule opens in the planner for review. The view controls let you inspect shifts and activities by date.: [ZenOps WFM activities schedule for October 2026 with generic Agent 01 through Agent 16 labels and staffing and volume totals.](https://zenops.cx/help/assets/schedule-view-anonymized.png)