Average Handling Time (AHT)

Definition

Average interaction handling time, often including talk time and after-call work.

How it works

Handling time includes talk time, hold time and after-call work; an unusually low AHT does not automatically mean better service. Contact-centre routing and performance metrics need to be interpreted against service targets, staffing levels and the complexity of incoming requests.

Business example

A support team investigates an increase in AHT after introducing a new order-verification process.

What to consider

Agree on metric definitions and reporting periods. A single number without quality, repeat-contact and workload context can lead to misleading conclusions.

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