The Essential WFM Glossary

Every important WFM term explained.
API

Application Programming Interface for connecting WFM systems.

Absence Management

Systematic tracking and management of employee absences.

Absenteeism Rate

The percentage of work time lost due to employee absences.

Alarm Triage Prioritization

WFM strategy in central monitoring stations prioritizing incoming alarms based on severity and assigning operators to handle critical incidents first.

Auto-Scheduling

Automated creation of optimal employee schedules.

Biometric Time Clock

A time tracking device that uses fingerprint, facial, or iris recognition.

Break Management

Tracking and managing employee breaks to ensure compliance and productivity.

Buddy Punching

When one employee clocks in or out for another employee who is not present.

Buddy System

A safety and training approach where employees work in pairs for mutual support.

Business Continuity (in WFM)

Ensuring workforce operations continue during and after disruptive events.

Call Center Staffing

The process of determining optimal agent levels to handle call volume while meeting service level targets.

Call Center Workforce Optimization

The process of optimizing staffing levels, schedules, and performance in call center environments.

Call-Out Management

Managing employee absences when they call in sick or unavailable.

Capacity Planning

Determining optimal staff and resources to meet future demand.

Certification Tracking

Monitoring and managing employee certifications, licenses, and required qualifications.

Change Management (in WFM context)

Managing organizational changes related to workforce management systems and processes.

Client Service Optimization

WFM strategy optimizing AV technician assignments to maximize client satisfaction and service quality across all projects and events.

Cloud-Based WFM

Workforce management software hosted in the cloud for remote access.

Compliance

Adherence to labor laws and regulations in workforce management.

Cross-Training

Training employees to perform multiple roles or tasks within an organization.

Cyber Threat Response Optimization

WFM strategy optimizing SOC analyst assignments and response procedures to maximize threat detection and incident resolution effectiveness.

Dashboard

A visual interface displaying key workforce metrics and data.

Data Analytics

Analyzing workforce data to identify patterns and insights.

Demand Planning

Estimating future workload to align staffing and resources.

Disaster Recovery Planning (in WFM)

Preparing workforce management systems and processes for business continuity during emergencies.

Emergency Response Coordination

WFM process coordinating security guard response to emergencies across multiple locations with real-time communication and resource allocation.

Employee Engagement

The level of enthusiasm and commitment employees have toward their work.

Employee Preferences

Individual employee choices regarding schedules, work arrangements, and conditions.

Employee Retention

The ability of an organization to keep its employees over time.

Employee Satisfaction

How content and happy employees are with their jobs and work environment.

Employee Self-Service

Digital tools that allow employees to manage their own work information.

Employee Self-Service (ESS)

A digital platform where employees manage their schedules, time-off, and personal data.

Employee Well-being

The overall health and happiness of employees in the workplace.

Equipment Inventory Management

WFM process managing AV equipment inventory and technician assignments to ensure optimal equipment utilization and availability.

Equipment Skill Matching

WFM strategy aligning AV technicians' skills with specific equipment needs for projects to ensure efficient task execution and high-quality installations.

Erlang Calculator

A mathematical tool used to calculate staffing requirements based on call volume, service level targets, and average handling time.

Event-Based Scheduling

WFM process assigning AV technicians to projects or events based on technical expertise, equipment requirements, and event timelines.

Exception Management

Identifying and handling deviations from planned schedules or processes.

Flex Scheduling

A scheduling approach that allows employees to choose or adjust their work hours within set limits.

Forecasting

Predicting future staffing needs based on data and trends.

Forecasting Using Excel

Using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and formulas to predict workforce demand and staffing needs.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

A unit that indicates the workload of an employed person in a way that makes workloads comparable.

Gamification in WFM

Using game-like elements to motivate and engage employees in workforce management activities.

Geofencing (in WFM)

Using GPS or RFID to define virtual boundaries for workforce management purposes.

Headcount Planning

The process of determining the number of employees needed to meet business goals.

Hybrid Workforce Management

Managing teams that combine remote and on-site employees.

Incident Escalation Management

WFM feature in SOCs coordinating the escalation of cybersecurity incidents to senior analysts or managers based on severity and complexity.

Installation Project Scheduling

WFM process scheduling AV technicians for installation projects based on project complexity, timeline requirements, and technician expertise.

Integration

Connecting WFM systems with other business applications.

Intraday Management

Real-time monitoring and adjustment of workforce during the workday.

KPI

Key Performance Indicators that measure workforce effectiveness.

Labor Cost Management

Strategies and tools for controlling and optimizing labor expenses.

Labor Forecasting

Predicting future staffing needs based on historical data and trends.

Labor Optimization

Maximizing workforce efficiency and productivity while minimizing costs.

Leave Management

Managing employee time off requests and leave balances.

License Compliance Tracking

WFM feature monitoring security guards' licensure and certification status to ensure compliance with state or regional regulations.

Long-Range Forecasting

Strategic workforce planning that predicts staffing needs 3-12 months into the future.

Mandatory Overtime

Requiring employees to work beyond their regular scheduled hours.

Meal Period Compliance

Ensuring employees receive required meal breaks according to labor laws.

Mobile WFM App

A mobile application for managing workforce schedules, time tracking, and communication.

Monitoring Center Compliance Tracking

WFM feature monitoring central monitoring station compliance with UL standards, state regulations, and industry requirements for continuous certification.

Monitoring Operator Scheduling

WFM process scheduling monitoring center operators based on expertise, certifications, and 24/7 coverage requirements for continuous security monitoring.

Monthly Forecasting

The process of predicting workforce needs and staffing requirements on a monthly basis.

Multi-Site Scheduling

Coordinating employee schedules across multiple locations or branches.

Multi-Skill Routing

Assigning work to employees based on multiple skill sets to maximize flexibility.

Multi-Venue Coordination

WFM strategy coordinating AV technicians across multiple venues to optimize resource allocation and ensure service quality.

No-Call No-Show (NCNS)

When an employee fails to show up for work without notifying their employer.

On-Call Scheduling

Scheduling employees to be available for work outside regular hours when needed.

Open Shifts

Unfilled work shifts that need to be covered by available employees.

Overtime Management

Controlling and optimizing employee overtime hours and costs.

Part-Time Scheduling

Assigning work hours to employees who work fewer than full-time hours per week.

Performance Management

Setting goals, monitoring progress, and evaluating employee performance.

Post Assignment Optimization

WFM strategy optimizing security guard assignments to specific posts based on skills, experience, and site requirements for maximum effectiveness.

Predictive Scheduling

Using data and algorithms to create optimal employee schedules in advance.

Quality Assurance Monitoring

WFM feature monitoring AV technician performance and project quality to ensure consistent service delivery and client satisfaction.

Real-Time Adherence

Monitoring actual employee activities against planned schedules in real-time.

Real-Time Adherence (RTA)

Monitoring employee activity in real time to ensure schedule compliance.

Remote Workforce Management

Managing and coordinating employees who work from locations outside the traditional office.

Reporting

Generating and distributing workforce data and analytics.

Rest Period Compliance

Ensuring employees receive required rest breaks during their shifts.

Roster

A list or schedule showing which employees are working at what times.

Roster Management

The process of creating and maintaining employee work rosters or schedules.

Rotating Shifts

A scheduling system where employees cycle through different shift times.

SOC Compliance Monitoring

WFM feature monitoring SOC compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal security policies.

SOC Performance Analytics

WFM feature analyzing SOC analyst performance metrics to optimize threat detection, response times, and overall security effectiveness.

SOC Shift Rotation

WFM strategy rotating SOC analysts through different shifts to prevent fatigue, maintain alertness, and ensure 24/7 threat monitoring coverage.

Schedule Adherence

Metric measuring how closely employees follow their assigned schedules.

Schedule Optimization

Using algorithms and data to create the most efficient employee schedules.

Scheduling

Assigning employees to shifts, tasks, and locations.

Security Incident Workload Balancing

WFM strategy balancing security incident workload across SOC analysts to prevent burnout and ensure consistent response quality.

Security Shift Rotation

WFM strategy rotating security guards through different shifts and locations to prevent fatigue, maintain alertness, and ensure fair workload distribution.

Security Tool Proficiency Tracking

WFM feature monitoring SOC analysts' proficiency with security tools and technologies to ensure optimal threat detection and response capabilities.

Security Training Management

WFM process managing SOC analyst training schedules, certification requirements, and skill development programs.

Self-Scheduling

A system where employees select their own shifts from available options.

Shift Coverage Analysis

WFM process analyzing security guard shift coverage to identify gaps, overlaps, and optimization opportunities across multiple locations.

Shift Differential

Additional pay for working non-standard hours or shifts.

Shift Planning

Organizing employee work shifts to ensure coverage and compliance.

Shift Premium

Additional compensation for working specific shifts or time periods.

Shift Swapping

The process of employees exchanging scheduled shifts with one another.

Shrinkage

Percentage of scheduled time when employees are unavailable for productive work.