Booking window

A booking window is how far into the future clients may book. A 60-day window means a client can take any open slot up to two months out and nothing beyond it.

Also called: booking horizon, how far ahead clients can book

A long window fills the diary early and locks in regulars. It also means a schedule change six weeks out has to be renegotiated with everyone already in it.

A short window keeps the schedule flexible and makes staffing changes painless, at the cost of clients who plan further ahead than that.

The window sets the far edge of availability and minimum notice sets the near edge. Together they define the range of slots a client can actually take.