MTTR (Mean Time to Resolution): Why It Matters and How to Improve It

When someone raises a question, flags an issue, or needs help—how fast can your team respond? More importantly, how quickly can you resolve the issue completely? That’s what MTTR (Mean Time to Resolution) measures.

In simple terms, MTTR tells you how long it takes, on average, to solve a problem from start to finish. It’s one of the most important metrics for any team, whether you’re in sales, customer support, or internal operations. Let’s explore why MTTR matters and how you can reduce it to keep everyone—from customers to your team—happier.

What is MTTR?

MTTR (Mean Time to Resolution) is the average time it takes to resolve an issue, starting from when it’s first reported to when it’s fully resolved.

Here’s a simple formula:

MTTR = Total Resolution Time for All Issues / Total Number of Issues

For example, if your team resolves 20 issues in 100 hours, your MTTR would be 5 hours per issue.

Why is MTTR Important?

Reducing MTTR isn’t just about being fast—it’s about building trust, improving efficiency, and enhancing customer and employee experiences. Here’s why MTTR matters:

  • Happier Customers: Nobody likes waiting for answers. When you resolve problems faster, customers feel valued, which boosts loyalty and trust.
  • More Productive Teams: A lower MTTR means your team spends less time on repetitive tasks and more time on strategic, meaningful work.
  • Higher Revenue: Whether it’s closing deals or fixing service issues, faster resolutions mean fewer missed opportunities and happier buyers.
  • Stronger Reputation: Quick, reliable problem-solving shows that your company is efficient and dependable, which makes you stand out from the competition.

Factors That Impact MTTR

If your MTTR is higher than you’d like, it’s often due to one or more of these factors:

  • Hard-to-Find Information: When your team spends more time searching for answers than solving problems, resolution times drag on.
  • Complex Issues: Not every problem is straightforward. Some require input from multiple teams or experts, adding delays.
  • Poor Communication: Miscommunication or unclear handoffs between teams can slow things down significantly.
  • Outdated Tools: If your team is jumping between disconnected systems or relying on outdated processes, it’s hard to move quickly.

How to Reduce MTTR

  1. Centralize Your Knowledge: Keep all your important information—FAQs, product details, troubleshooting guides—in one easily accessible place.
  2. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use tools that can handle routine tasks like assigning tickets, sending updates, or gathering data automatically.
  3. Invest in AI Tools: AI can analyze data, suggest solutions, and even provide instant answers, significantly speeding up resolution times.
  4. Improve Team Communication: Use tools that allow seamless collaboration between teams, ensuring that issues are handled without unnecessary delays.
  5. Monitor and Optimize: Regularly measure your MTTR to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.

How Docket AI Helps Lower Your MTTR

Docket AI is designed to supercharge your team’s ability to resolve issues quickly, whether it’s a sales question, technical query, or customer support concern. Here’s how it helps:

  1. Instant Access to Knowledge, Anytime: Docket AI centralizes your company’s knowledge, making it easy for teams to find the right information in seconds. Whether it’s product specs, troubleshooting guides, or FAQs, answers are just a query away.
  2. AI-Powered Answers: With over 95% accuracy and a below 2.7% hallucination rate, Docket AI delivers precise responses instantly, cutting down the time spent searching for answers.
  3. Seamless Integrations: Docket AI connects with tools like Slack, Teams, Salesforce, Google Drive, Notion, Highspot, Seismic, and more, ensuring your team has everything they need in one place.
  4. Real-Time Assistance: During calls or live chats, Docket AI provides on-the-spot suggestions and insights, helping your team handle queries faster and with confidence.
  5. Learning from Experts: Docket AI learns from your company’s top performers and subject matter experts, ensuring that it delivers smarter, more accurate answers over time.
  6. Proven Results: Teams using Docket AI have reported:
    • 12% higher deal win rates
    • 10% shorter sales cycles‍
    • 6 hours saved per team member each week

Why MTTR is a Metric You Can’t Ignore

MTTR isn’t just about solving problems faster—it’s about creating better experiences for your customers and making your team more productive. By focusing on lowering MTTR, you can build stronger relationships, boost efficiency, and drive better results.

Docket AI takes the guesswork out of reducing MTTR. With instant answers, real-time guidance, and seamless integrations, it empowers your team to resolve issues faster and more effectively.

Ready to see the difference? Let Docket AI help you lower MTTR and take your team’s efficiency to the next level.

DocketAI recognized as a Gartner Cool Vendor
Get exclusive, free access to the Gartner report
Read full report