Pitman schedule

The pattern runs: 2 days on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off. Because it repeats on a fixed two-week cycle, people know their schedule far in advance. It’s a common choice in healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency services where 24/7 coverage is the baseline requirement.

Pitman and Panama are two names for the same 2-2-3 rotation. For the general explanation of the pattern, see the Panama schedule; this page covers what’s specific to the Pitman setup.

Key takeaways

• What it is: a 14-day 2-2-3 shift rotation — seven shifts per fortnight with a three-day break every other week.
• Core pattern: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off — the same sequence repeats every 14 days without variation.
• Team structure: one crew covers a single shift type; two crews minimum for continuous coverage, four crews standard for full day-and-night 24/7 operations.
• Main trade-off: fixed rotation limits flexibility for last-minute changes, in exchange for predictable schedules and visible coverage gaps early.
• Naming note: Pitman and Panama describe the same underlying pattern — Pitman is more common in policing and emergency services, Panama in manufacturing.

How many teams does a Pitman schedule need?

For a single team covering one shift type, the two-week block looks like this:

Week 1: D D - - D D D
Week 2: - - D D - - -

(D = working day, - = day off)

One team can only cover one shift type on its own. To run continuous day and night coverage, you need at least two teams. Four-team setups are standard when organisations need round-the-clock coverage with no gaps.

Common variations

• Fixed shift Pitman: Teams stay permanently on days or nights with no rotation between them.
• Modified Pitman: Start and end times are adjusted to fit specific operational windows.
• Extended Pitman: Extra coverage is added during peak periods while keeping the base 2-2-3 pattern intact.

Pitman vs Panama schedule

The Pitman and Panama schedules describe the same underlying 2-2-3 rotation, and the terms are often used interchangeably. The difference is mostly in naming and convention: “Panama” is the more common term in manufacturing and industrial settings, while “Pitman” is used more in policing and emergency services. Where you’ll see real variation is in the details each field layers on top: fixed versus rotating shifts, and adjusted start times, rather than in the core pattern itself.

Benefits of the Pitman schedule

For team members, predictability is the main advantage. The 14-day cycle repeats without variation, so personal planning is straightforward. The three-day break every other week also gives people enough time to recover, which matters more when shifts include nights or long hours.

For managers, the fixed rotation makes coverage gaps visible early. Staffing levels stay consistent across the cycle without constant manual adjustments to the roster.

Common questions

How does the Pitman schedule work?

Each team follows a fixed 14-day sequence: 2 days on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off — totalling seven shifts per fortnight. Multiple teams run the same pattern offset from each other so coverage stays continuous. For 24/7 operations, four teams is the standard setup, with each group covering a different phase of the cycle.

What are the pros and cons of the Pitman schedule?

The main advantages are a predictable 14-day cycle that repeats without variation, a built-in three-day break every other week, and early visibility of coverage gaps for managers. The trade-offs are limited flexibility for last-minute changes, physically demanding shifts when nights are included, and the need for careful headcount planning before committing to the pattern.

How Zelos helps

Zelos is a task and shift signup app with built-in messaging. It works alongside existing Pitman rosters — when a gap appears in the fixed rotation, managers can post the open shift for team members to claim without coordinating each change by hand. It fits naturally into operations where the base 2-2-3 pattern is set but shift swaps and short-notice coverage still need a simple path.