# How Forecasts Become Schedules

## Definition

A forecast estimates future support demand and the staffing coverage needed for it. A schedule turns that planning input into shifts and activities for agents over a selected period.

## Context

Use a forecast-driven schedule when you want planned staffing to reflect expected work across the queues and channels in the forecast.

Teams can also build a schedule manually. Forecast-driven generation is the path that uses a completed forecast as an input.

## Attributes

- **Demand estimate:** ZenOps WFM can generate forecasts from historical support data or use uploaded forecast data. Forecasts contain interval-level volume and staffing coverage requirements.
- **Schedule inputs:** To generate a schedule, select a completed forecast and set the schedule period and timezone. The scheduling process uses forecast coverage, eligible people, and applicable scheduling constraints. Shift plans support later pattern editing.
- **Planner review:** Generation creates a schedule draft. A planner reviews the shifts and activities, checks validations, makes any needed edits, and publishes the schedule when it is ready.
- **Agent visibility:** Agents can view a published schedule in [My Schedule](/help/articles/view-your-schedule/). For the planner controls used during review, see [How To Review An Existing Schedule](/help/articles/review-an-existing-schedule/).

For the overall product workflow, read [What ZenOps WFM Does](/help/articles/what-zenops-wfm-does/).

> Canonical page: https://zenops.cx/help/articles/how-forecasts-become-schedules/
> Audience: For evaluators and planners
> Summary: Understand how forecast coverage informs a schedule draft and planner review.

## Notes on this article

### Note: A draft needs review

In context. Forecast-driven generation creates a schedule draft. A planner reviews and publishes it before agents can see it.

## Visual references

- A visual overview of WFM setup settings and their connections. Solid lines show the main setup flow; dashed lines show optional planning links. Select the image to inspect it at full size.: [Three-stage WFM setup map with Foundation, Forecasting, and Scheduling settings, showing the main setup flow and optional planning links.](https://zenops.cx/help/assets/wfm-setup-overview.png)