KPI Name

Average Resolution Time

Introduction to the Average Resolution Time KPI

The Average Resolution Time KPI is a key customer support metric that measures how long it takes a team to fully resolve a customer issue. It directly reflects the efficiency, responsiveness, and overall quality of your support operations.

What Is Average Resolution Time?

This KPI shows the average time required—from ticket creation to ticket closure—to solve customer problems. It is calculated using:

Total Time to Resolve All Tickets ÷ Number of Resolved Tickets

A shorter resolution time indicates a fast and well-structured support system, while longer times may reveal process gaps, understaffing, or lack of proper tools.

Why This KPI Matters

Average Resolution Time plays a major role in customer satisfaction and retention. It offers insights into:

  • Support team productivity and capacity

  • Quality of internal workflows and troubleshooting processes

  • Customer frustration points and bottlenecks

  • Training needs and resource allocation

Improving this KPI typically leads to happier customers, fewer escalations, and more efficient operations.

How to Use This KPI Effectively

Businesses often monitor this KPI daily or weekly, segmenting results by issue type, channel (email, chat, phone), and support tier. Combining it with First Response Time, Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), and Ticket Volume provides a complete view of support performance.

KPI Description

Measures the average time taken to fully resolve a customer support ticket.

Tags

Category

Customer Support

Alternative Names

Case Resolution Time

KPI Type

Quantitative, Lagging

Target Audience

Customer Support Managers, Business Owners

Formula

Average Resolution Time = Total Resolution Time ÷ Number of Tickets

Calculation Example

If a company resolves 500 tickets in 50,000 minutes, Average Resolution Time = 50,000 ÷ 500 = 100 minutes

Data Source

CRM software, customer support platforms

Tracking Frequency

Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly

Optimal Value

Lower is better; faster resolution improves customer satisfaction.

Minimum Acceptable Value

A high resolution time suggests inefficiencies in customer service.

Benchmark

Industry benchmarks: Live Chat ~5-15 minutes, Email ~12-24 hours, Call Centers ~1-2 days

Recommended Chart Type

Line chart (to track trends), Bar chart (to compare teams)

How It Appears in Reports

Displayed in customer support reports to assess efficiency.

Why Is This KPI Important?

Indicates how quickly customer issues are fully resolved.

Typical Problems and Limitations

Focusing only on speed can lead to poor resolution quality.

Actions for Poor Results

Automate repetitive inquiries, expand support team, improve training.

Related KPIs

First Response Time, CSAT, Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Real-Life Examples

A telecom company reduced resolution time from 48 hours to 12 hours by streamlining escalation processes.

Most Common Mistakes

Reducing resolution time without ensuring high-quality support.