Contact center terms💡

Key performance indicator

What are KPIs and how are they used to improve processes in companies? Find out more about the topic here.

What are KPIs?

KPI stands for key performance indicator and refers to measurable values that indicate the success or performance of a company, a department or a specific process in relation to defined targets. They are a central instrument in performance management and help to objectively evaluate progress and make data-based decisions.

What characterizes KPIs?

Effective KPIs fulfill certain criteria in order to serve as a reliable basis for decisions:

  • Measurability: KPIs are quantifiable, i.e. they can be captured by numbers or data.

  • Goal-oriented: They are linked to specific corporate goals or strategies.

  • Monitorability: KPIs are regularly monitored in order to measure progress and make adjustments if necessary.

Typical KPIs in contact centers

KPIs play a central role in measuring quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction, especially in customer service and contact centers. The most common KPIs include:

  • Response time: Average time it takes an agent to answer a customer call.

  • First Call Resolution (FCR): Percentage of customer inquiries that are successfully resolved on the first contact.
  • Customer Satisfaction (CSAT): Evaluation of service quality from the customer's perspective.

  • Service level: Percentage of calls answered within a defined time frame.

What advantages do KPIs offer?

The targeted use of KPIs enables companies to better manage their processes and helps them to make targeted improvements:

  • Performance evaluation: KPIs make the effectiveness and efficiency of employees and processes visible.

  • Target achievement: They show whether certain targets are being achieved or where there is still a need for action.

  • Optimization potential: Weaknesses can be identified at an early stage and rectified in a targeted manner.

KPIs are therefore an important component for managing and improving business processes and ensuring that targets are achieved.

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