Begin with eight weeks of arrivals, completions, open work, exceptions, and waiting time. Keep spikes separate from ordinary demand.
Use one unit for each queue. Messages, orders, records, and appointments should not become one activity count. State the period, missing cases, and timestamp limits.
The SBA connects goals with operations and resources. The World Bank notes that data quality affects decisions. Translate a range, not a precise guess, into expected volume, excluded cases, and escalation points.
Review after an observation period. If the work is more varied than expected, narrow the scope; if the queue is stable, the owner can decide whether evidence supports a wider assignment.