---
title: "Expected User Groups: Predefine Skills or Roles for a Shift"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/expected-user-groups-predefine-skills-or-roles-for-a-shift"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-06-26T17:32:52.730Z"
---

# Expected User Groups: Predefine Skills or Roles for a Shift

## **👷 Expected User Groups: Predefine Skills or Roles for a Shift**  
 

### 📘 Article Purpose

This article explains how to use **Expected User Groups** in the Field Schedule to plan shifts when you don’t yet know who will work them—but you know what kind of worker you need.

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## **🎯 What Are Expected User Groups?**

**Expected User Groups** allow you to:

-   Define the **type of worker** needed for a shift (by role or label)
-   Set how many people are required per group
-   Track which requirements are filled or still outstanding

📌 This is helpful when planning ahead, staffing from a labor pool, or enabling shift applications from subcontractors.

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## **🔧 Where to Use This**

You’ll find **Expected User Groups** in the **Shift Slider**, below the “Assigned Users” section.

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## **➕ How to Add an Expected User Group**

1.  In the Shift Slider, scroll to **Expected User Groups**
2.  Click **\+ Add User Group**
3.  Choose **By Label** or **By Role**
    -   Label = skill/certification (e.g., “Carpenter”, “First Aid”)
    -   Role = Ontraccr system role (e.g., “Foreman”)
4.  Enter the **quantity** of workers you need

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## **📊 What Happens Next?**

Once the shift is saved:

-   Ontraccr tracks **how many assigned users match** each expected group
-   If you're short (e.g., 3 carpenters needed, only 1 assigned), it shows a deficit
-   Helps dispatchers visually confirm coverage

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## **👤 Draft Shift + Expected Users = Applications**

If you **Save as Draft**, and:

-   Add an expected group
-   Don't assign specific users yet

Then:

-   Workers who match the role/label can **see the draft**
-   They can **apply for the shift** from the mobile app
-   Their names appear as **Pending Users**
-   Dispatchers can **approve or deny** them before publishing

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## **🔐 Permissions That Control Access**

In **Settings > Roles & Permissions**, review:

### View Draft Shifts by Role or Label

-   Users can see only draft shifts that match their role/label

### View All Draft Shifts

-   Users can see **all** draft shifts, regardless of role

🛠️ Use this to manage visibility across subcontractors or specialized staff

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## **🧠 Use Cases**

| Scenario | How Expected User Groups Help |
| --- | --- |
| Planning work but unsure who’s available | Add required skills without assigning names |
| Filling shifts from subcontractors | Let pre-qualified users apply from their app |
| Ensuring compliance (e.g., 1 First Aid per crew) | Automatically track role coverage |