This tool is a mathematical formula used to determine the number of staff required in a contact center. It calculates the staffing levels necessary to achieve specific service levels, taking into account factors such as call volume, average call handling time, and desired service level targets. For example, a center anticipating 100 calls per hour with an average handling time of 3 minutes and a target of answering 80% of calls within 20 seconds would utilize this formula to estimate the needed number of agents.
Accurate staff forecasting is paramount in optimizing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Understaffing leads to long wait times and potentially abandoned calls, negatively impacting the customer experience. Conversely, overstaffing increases operational costs. The development and application of this mathematical modeling can be traced back to A.K. Erlang’s work in telephone traffic engineering, providing a foundation for modern contact center resource planning.