Home > Ask the CRM Experts > Call center software and metrics Questions & Answers > What metrics best measure call center efficiency?
Ask The CRM Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

What metrics best measure call center efficiency?

Lori Bocklund EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Lori Bocklund

Pose a Question
Other CRM Categories
Meet all CRM Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 02 April 2007
Is there a formula for using metrics to calculate call center efficiency, either at a micro or macro level?

>
EXPERT RESPONSE
Many metrics reflect call center efficiency from different perspectives, and I don't think you can point to one particular way to calculate it. For example, utilization is one important measure of call center efficiency. Some people view average handle time (AHT) as a measure of efficiency for representatives, but fast handle time may not be in line with your other goals. Some would cite first call resolution (FCR) as a key measure of call center efficiency, while other centers know that the nature of their contacts or their inability to effectively measure FCR makes that a difficult metric. Some companies would use the self-service success rate as a key metric, while another company may not use self service.

The point of all these examples is that you need to define a metrics strategy that works for your business – tied to the goals you are trying to achieve, your call flow and handling, and the things you can measure. Efficiency or productivity should be one metrics category in a balanced strategy, but can be defined in various ways, depending on your environment.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
Call center software and metrics
Developing a call center metrics strategy to reward call center agent performance
Using call center quality metrics to measure email, chat and phone interactions
Measuring chat session average handle time (AHT)
Can interactive voice response systems recognize abandoned calls?
Volume metrics vs. call center performance metrics
Measuring individual employee performance in the call center
Managing call routing technology in the call center
What's the best ratio of employees to supervisor in the call center?
What type of call queuing is right for our call center?
Call center forecasting: How can we predict call volume?

Call center agent
CRM jobs and careers: Special report
Going green with at-home call center agents
Finding remote call center agent jobs and opportunities
Team building games for call center employees
Cell phone activities for call center teams
Office poker games to break the ice in the call center
Engaging effectively with customers on the phone
Are one-to-one relationships between agents and customers a good idea?
Successful workforce management initiative depends on educating contact center agents
CRM in the contact center sees little progress
Call center agent Research

Metrics strategy and review
The Executive Guide to Call Center Metrics
Call center performance metrics to use when starting a new center
Build a call center strategy using best practices for call center metrics
Are call center metrics changing to account for customer intelligence?
Call center metrics FAQ

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
call center agent  (SearchCRM.com)
Erlang B  (SearchCRM.com)
Erlang C  (SearchCRM.com)
inbound call  (SearchCRM.com)
inbound call center  (SearchCRM.com)
off-peak  (SearchCRM.com)
outbound call  (SearchCRM.com)
outbound call center  (SearchCRM.com)
Quality of Experience  (SearchCRM.com)
silent monitoring  (SearchCRM.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Expert CRM Reviews
CRM Webcasts
Sales force CRM

Find the right CRM solution according to your unique needs.
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts