2-2-3 Shift Schedule Template with 4 On 4 Off Variant
The 2-2-3 schedule, also called the Pitman or Panama rotation, is the most common way to cover a plant 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with four crews on 12-hour shifts. This template lays out the 14-day cycle so you can adjust it, add notes and export it to Excel, PDF or Word.
| Cycle day | Crew A | Crew B | Crew C | Crew D | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Each crew works 7 of 14 days, which is 84 scheduled hours per 14 days or 42 hours per week on average, so check overtime rules in your jurisdiction. For 4 on 4 off, use an 8-day cycle: change the Cycle day rows to 8, set Crew A to Day on days 1 to 4 and Off on days 5 to 8, Crew B the opposite, and Crews C and D the same on Night. Change the Day and Night labels to your shift names and start times before you publish.
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How to use the template
The table shows the cycle for four crews. Crews A and B share the day shift on alternating days, and crews C and D do the same at night. Edit any cell with the dropdown, add a note such as a planned shutdown, and then export. Print the 14-day cycle and attach a calendar start date so each crew knows which day of the cycle it is on. If you run two crews instead of four, delete the crews you do not need and keep the on and off blocks.
- Pick one start date for Cycle day 1 and publish it.
- Rename Day and Night to your actual shift names.
- Add a column for team leads if your plant needs it.
- Export to Excel to build a year calendar with formulas.
How the 2-2-3 pattern works
In a 2-2-3 rotation a crew works two days, is off two days, works three days, and then is off two, works two and is off three. Over 14 days each crew works 7 shifts. Because the three-day blocks alternate between crews, every crew gets a long weekend of three days off every second week. Each person works every other weekend. The pattern keeps shift length fixed at 12 hours, so fatigue controls and break planning matter more than they do on 8-hour shifts.
4 on 4 off compared with 2-2-3
A 4 on 4 off pattern works four 12-hour shifts, then has four days off, on an 8-day cycle. It averages 42 hours per week as well, but the weekday of each shift drifts, so there is no fixed weekend. Crews often prefer 2-2-3 because the days off are shorter and more predictable, and 4 on 4 off because the four-day breaks are longer. Both need four crews for 24/7 cover. Pick the pattern that fits your labor rules, union agreement and the night-work limits of your region.
Common mistakes and ERP notes
The usual mistakes are handing out the cycle without a start date, forgetting that 84 hours per 14 days can trigger overtime under local rules, and not planning shift handover time. In your ERP, model the pattern as a shift calendar: in SAP use a factory calendar and work center capacity with shift definitions, in Infor SyteLine use shift and resource group calendars, and in Epicor use resource group calendars. Capacity planning depends on those calendars being right.
- Check local limits on night work and rest periods.
- Add a 15 to 30 minute overlap for shift handover.
- Update the ERP calendar when holidays change the cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 2-2-3 shift schedule?
It is a 14-day rotation where each crew works two days, is off two, works three, is off two, works two, and is off three. Four crews on 12-hour shifts provide 24/7 coverage, and each crew averages 42 hours per week.
How many employees do I need for a 2-2-3 schedule?
You need four crews. Multiply the people needed on one shift by four, then add relief for leave, training and absence. A line that needs 10 operators per shift needs about 40 people plus a relief allowance.
Is 4 on 4 off better than 2-2-3?
Neither is better in every plant. 2-2-3 gives shorter breaks and a predictable pattern. 4 on 4 off gives longer breaks but the weekday drifts. Consider overtime rules, fatigue, and what your workforce prefers.
Does this schedule cause overtime?
Averaging 42 hours per week can create overtime depending on your rules. In the US the FLSA counts overtime per work week, so how you define the week matters. Check local law and agreements, and have payroll review the pattern.
If your shift calendars and capacity data live in an ERP, Netray can help you check that the plant calendar matches the real rotation and report on coverage.
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