All the described methods were compared using different criteria: standard, simple to use, requiring zero additional cost and resource, respecting quota requirements, less time-consuming exercise, total cost of producing the schedule, fulfillment of preferences, priority admitted to seniority, equity in terms of balance of the non-desired assignments, and ergonomic rules that have positive impact on their quality of life at work.
All criteria in the quality field are ranked from the most to the least important one according to our comprehension of the problem and interpretation from our interviews with the clerks.
One has to recall that this ranking is not a formal one since clerks use very subjective criteria each time they consider one particular preference and nurse.