# Optimization activation, run time and scheduled jobs

*Agentforce Field Service and Operations Consultant Study Guide · Managing Scheduling and Optimization · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/agentforce-field-service-consultant/managing-scheduling-and-optimization/optimization-activation-run-time-and-scheduled-jobs*

Set up optimization end to end: activate it through the Field Service Optimization user, enable Enhanced Scheduling and Optimization, tune run time against the session timeout, and build Enhanced Optimization scheduled jobs with time periods, territory groups, pin and Keep Scheduled criteria.

- Certification: Salesforce Agentforce Field Service and Operations Consultant
- Exam section: Managing Scheduling and Optimization
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/agentforce-field-service-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Explain how to set up optimization.

## What the exam expects

- Activate optimization without the enhanced engine: create the optimization profile, activate the Field Service Optimization user, and click Activate Optimization as that user.
- Enable Enhanced Scheduling and Optimization and state the engine differences that change a setup.
- Choose the optimization run time and avoid the session timeout failure.
- Configure an Enhanced Optimization scheduled job: time periods, territory groups with policies, filter, schedule and how the job counts toward limits.
- Predict which appointments and resources a request includes, and protect appointments with Pin Criteria or Keep Scheduled Criteria.

Key terms:
- **Field Service Optimization user:** the licensed, active user whose profile carries the optimizer's permissions.
- **Optimization run time per service appointment:** Low, Medium or High thoroughness under Optimization, Logic.
- **Time period:** a From Day to To Day range on a job's General tab; each becomes its own optimization request.
- **Territory group:** up to 100 territories optimized together with one scheduling policy.
- **Keep Scheduled Criteria:** criteria that stop matching appointments from being dropped while still letting them move.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Activate the optimization user, log in as it, click Activate Optimization | [Set Up Optimization](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/field-service-lightning-optimization/set-up-optimization) |
| Optimization profile | Don't edit it after creation | [Set Up Optimization](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/field-service-lightning-optimization/set-up-optimization) |
| Enhanced default | On for all territories in new orgs since Summer '23 | [Enable Enhanced Scheduling](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.pfs_enhanced_setup_enable.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Run time | Low:Medium:High = 1:2:3; never over six hours | [Scheduled Jobs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Session timeout | At least 2 hours, or a quicker run time | [Scheduled Jobs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Time periods | Up to 10 within 30 days; one request each | [Scheduled Jobs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Territory groups | Up to 50; 100 territories each, 1,000 with Dynamic Scaling | [Scheduled Jobs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Horizon time zone | The job creator's, not the territories' | [Scheduled Jobs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Recurring every 15 minutes | Counts as 4 scheduled jobs | [Enhanced Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_enhanced_available_limits.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Eligible parents | Work order or work order line item only | [Scheduled Jobs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Failure email | Sent only when a job fails to initiate | [Scheduled Jobs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| In-day policy | Select In-Day Optimization on the policy | [In-Day Optimization](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_in_day_optimization.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why shouldn't the Field Service Optimization profile be edited?
- When does an appointment with arrival windows fall inside a job's horizon?
- Which permission set is needed to create a scheduled job?
- Why does a matching Keep Scheduled appointment sometimes not move at all?

## Sources

- [Manage Scheduled Jobs in Field Service](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_set_up_jobs_enhanced.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Set Up Optimization (Trailhead unit)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/field-service-lightning-optimization/set-up-optimization)
- [Optimize Your Field Service Schedule](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=pfs_optimization.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Enable Enhanced Scheduling and Optimization](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.pfs_enhanced_setup_enable.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Limits and Limitations for Enhanced Scheduling and Optimization](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_enhanced_available_limits.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Optimize Today's Field Service Schedule](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.pfs_in_day_optimization.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Field Service Limits and Limitations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.fs_limits.htm&language=en_US&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 8 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Agentforce Field Service and Operations Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams