Definitions of Slots and Slot-Based Scheduling

A narrow opening, slit, or groove, especially in a door, wall, or machine. A slot in a line of symbols on a video game screen that indicates a winning combination and displays the amount of money won by matching symbols on that line.

A compartment or place in a ship or aircraft that is reserved for a specific function. The term may also refer to a position in a series or sequence, as in a time slot or a quota.

Sports A designated area of the ice hockey rink where a player can kick the puck into the goal without deflection. The slot is located between the face-off circles.

In business, a slot-based schedule is a method of prioritizing work and establishing deadlines for completing various tasks. This approach to managing workflow can help teams maintain productivity and meet important milestones. It can also promote open communication between departments and ensure all team members are aware of the status of key projects, meetings or deadlines. For example, a financial consulting firm might use slot scheduling to organize staff consultations and evaluation reviews by day of the week. This allows for more flexibility and ensures that critical objectives are addressed first. It also helps ensure that urgent issues are dealt with immediately rather than delayed and that employees can remain focused on other projects. The company might even provide a list of prioritized work and the associated time slots to employees so they can plan accordingly.