How would you cover both conference breaks?
Check service capacity by time window and agree a revised break plan.
The question
You run conference service at an Australian hotel. Each attendee uses a station once. Supplies cover both groups. The registration host has a separate assignment.
| Guests | Start | |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | 36 | 10:20 |
| Group B | 36 | 10:30 |
Each break is ten minutes.
| Count | |
|---|---|
| Staffed stations | 2 |
| Guests per station in ten minutes | 24 |
The rate includes a trained attendant at each station.
“Give the organisers a plan for the break windows and the people needed to run them.”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Check each break window
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Check the number due and capacity in each ten-minute break.
The strong move. A whole-event total can hide a short peak.
Use the total 72 guests over the morning as the service measure.
Tempting, but it misses something. The organisers need to know whether service fits each break.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d compare the number due in each ten-minute window with the capacity of both staffed stations.”
Why it works: A whole-event total can hide a short peak.
Step 2: Give the starting plan
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Keep the two breaks and the separate registration assignment.
The strong move. The 48-person service count is available in each window.
Move the registration host to a third station for the whole event.
Tempting, but it misses something. The two staffed stations already cover each slot. Moving the host leaves registration without coverage.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Two stations can serve 48 guests in ten minutes. Each group has 36 in a separate slot. Both fit and registration keeps its own host.”
Why it works: The 48-person service count is available in each window.
Step 3: Agree the stagger
A meeting change moves all 36 guests from B to 10:20. B’s organiser can keep 24 of those guests in session until 10:30. Both stations remain staffed at the same rate.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Agree 48 guests at 10:20 and 24 at 10:30.
The strong move. The two windows then serve 48 and 24 guests. Both fit the measured capacity.
Promise to serve all 72 at 10:20 because there are enough supplies.
Tempting, but it misses something. Supplies cover 72. The two staffed stations can serve only 48 in that window.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Both groups together would bring 72 at 10:20, which is 24 over capacity. I’d agree with B’s organiser to bring 12 from B with A, then 24 from B at 10:30.”
Why it works: The two windows then serve 48 and 24 guests. Both fit the measured capacity.
Step 4: Send one revised plan
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Confirm the split with the organisers and brief the service team.
The strong move. The organiser controls when the group leaves. The station leads need the same counts and times.
Change the station roster and leave the original break plan with the organisers.
Tempting, but it misses something. The service team cannot enforce a stagger the organisers have not agreed.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d give both organisers and the station leads 48 at 10:20 and 24 at 10:30. I’d tell the registration host about the guest flow and check how many arrive in the first window.”
Why it works: The organiser controls when the group leaves. The station leads need the same counts and times.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Agree a 48-person first break and a 24-person second break.
- Because
- The combined 72-person break exceeds capacity by 24. The organiser can stagger those guests.
- What would change it
- If the organiser cannot stagger the break, give the shortfall and agree a revised service estimate.
Common traps
- Using event-wide capacity for a ten-minute peak.
- Counting stock or an empty station as staffed capacity.
Check your answer
- I compared demand and capacity per window.
- I calculated the 24-guest peak gap.
- I kept the registration assignment covered.
- I gave the organisers the revised counts and times.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026