Dispatch assignments

Dispatcher needs an approved load, an available driver and a vehicle that is ready for the intended work. The assignment keeps those choices together with its start time and availability check. Fleet Manager supplies the driver eligibility and equipment condition that support the dispatch decision. A familiar driver or a previously reliable truck still needs a current check.

The dispatch board separates Held, Confirmed and Dispatched assignments. This gives the shift team a way to distinguish a tentative match from work already released to the road. Keep the load reference visible so a resource change can be understood in the context of the customer’s promise.

Start with the load and examine the driver and vehicle before confirming an assignment. Driver records contain license class, eligibility date and working status. Vehicle records contain equipment class, active state and readiness. The availability check explains what Dispatcher checked when choosing the resources; it should be useful to the next person taking over the desk.

• Hold the initial match. Record the intended driver, vehicle and start while resource questions are being resolved.
• Confirm readiness. Ask Fleet Manager about eligibility, defects and service work before confirming the assignment.
• Record departure. Move the assignment to Dispatched when the load leaves, with the departure event captured against that load.

Agree the checks required for each equipment class and the person who can resolve a readiness concern. Decide how the desk reviews a driver’s other commitments before selecting them for a load. Establish who can cancel a held assignment and how a replacement is explained to the delivery team.

Use a consistent time convention for the assignment start and planned departure. The desk should also agree which vehicle record represents the equipment being allocated. Keep driver eligibility review with Fleet Manager and the actual dispatch handoff with Dispatcher so each person knows which evidence they must supply.

Dispatcher holds a driver and truck for an early departure. Before confirmation, Fleet Manager sees an open brake defect on the truck and keeps it Out of Service. Dispatcher chooses another ready vehicle and records the reason for the availability check. The driver remains attached to the intended load.

When the replacement leaves, Dispatcher records the assignment as Dispatched and Delivery Coordinator enters the departure event. During rehearsal, ask the next shift to identify the vehicle actually sent and the load it carries. Then change the driver to Resting and repeat the resource review. The team must resolve that concern before confirming another assignment, with a clear owner for the next action.

• Dispatch board — Held, Confirmed and Dispatched assignments grouped for the dispatch desk.
• Driver availability — Driver status, license class and eligibility date for resource review.
• Fleet readiness — Equipment condition and active state before a vehicle is selected.

Rehearse Assign and dispatch, then continue with Track and confirm delivery. Review the checks in Fleet upkeep.