Newbie question: re anticipating support calls

[oidsman]

HI, Hope this is not too off topic but I work for a company where we are releasing a new web based system to the general public. We need to try and anticipate the expected call leveles thsi new app will produce. Are there any standard 'rates' that can be used to scope support desk staffing etc? For example:-

If you expect x users to login, y% of those will call your support line and teh average call length will be z minutes?

It seems to me that thsi is very difficult to predict but any help/guidance really appreciated?

Thanks,

[LizGallacher]

Suggest you look at Noel Bruton's website (google it) as a starting point. He has an archived article called How many people? Of course you will have to use this as a basis only, as behavior is different when it is an external desk. Also, calls do not come in evenly spread - you need to staff for the peaks.
_________________
Liz Gallacher,
ITIL EXPERT
Accredited ITIL and ISO/IEC20000 Trainer and Consultant - Freelance

[Mark-OLoughlin]

Do you have stats for how many calls your service get anyway. Last implementation I did like that we got about 10-15% calls via the web over the first few weeks and had a program for 6 months that would look to increase this.

Use current stats to try and identify the low priority calls as they are the onse that will come in and anything to do with self service forms.

I dont have a magic formula but you shoul dbe able to ball park is an dthem start measuring it from the start.
_________________
Mark O'Loughlin
ITSM / ITIL Consultant