How do you calculate a team's focus factor?
The focus factor is the share of working time actually devoted to production, after meetings, interruptions, and side tasks. You measure it by dividing observed productive time by gross capacity over several periods; it generally ranges from 60 to 80%. Productive capacity is then gross capacity multiplied by that factor.
The focus factor: calculating a team's real capacity
No team produces 100% of its available time.
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Formula and example
- Productive capacity = gross capacity × focus factor.
- Focus factor = observed productive time ÷ gross capacity.
- Example: 18 gross days × 75% = 13.5 productive days.
How to measure it
- Record time spent on project tasks over 3 to 6 periods.
- Compare it with gross capacity (working days minus leave).
- Compute an average and review it regularly.
Pitfalls
- Applying the same factor to every team: a support team takes more than a product team.
- Confusing focus factor with run share, which is a separate deduction.
- Using 100% out of optimism.
FAQ
What is a good focus factor?
There is no ideal value; teams generally fall between 60 and 80%. Measure it on your own team.
Does the focus factor replace run work?
No. Run work is a share of time assigned to operations; the focus factor covers meetings, interruptions, and side tasks.
How do you build it into planning?
By applying it to gross capacity before comparing that to requested workload.
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