Preferences

Definition: Returns the person's highest preference, this means the "highest preference" that has the lowest ordinal of all the preferences. If the position does not match any of the person's preferences, a zero 0 will be returned. If the position matches more than one of the person's preferences, then the number for the highest preference number (lowest ordinal of all the preferences) will be returned.

Return Value: Number

Source: The person’s Preference tab > Preference Profile > Preferences

The Where clause is used to match to a person's specific preference ordering, for example =1. The rule can process preferences in order starting at the person's top preference (lowest ordinal), and moving down the list (when Where is set to blank or >=1).

It is very important to understand that using the Where clause limits the results, and intended to be used as =1 to give people their first preference - first, followed by a second pass of >= 1 meaning give people their first preference or the next highest preference. Remember the application returns the lowest ordinal or highest preference found, ordinal 1 is the #1 choice, ordinal 2 is the second choice, hence the lowest ordinal is 1. To clarify, hypothetically, if Where is set to >=2 this does not mean give people their second or subsequent choice.

Example 1

• The rule Preferences targets Preference X
• The Where clause is set to >=1.
• People are returned if they have any Regular preference to the position, since all preferences 1 and greater are considered.

Example 2

• The rule Preferences targets Preference X.
• The Where clause is set to =1.
• People are returned only if their #1 preference matches the target position.

Example 3

• The rule Preferences targets Preference X.
• There is no Where clause entered.
• The target position matches both a person's #4 and #6 preference.
• The base rule returns 4.

Example 3

• The rule Preferences targets Preference X.
• Chris an employee has set their preference in this order: #1) Machine Operator, Shift 1- - #2) Machine Operator
• The Where clause is set to >=2
• The target position matches the #1 preference, Machine Operator, Shift 1
• The base rule returns none. Chris fails the Where clause criteria. Machine Operator on Shift 1 does not match the #2 choice Machine Operator. This example illustrates how the system always returns the lowest ordinal AND then further processes the Where clause criteria.