Estimate how many active learners a team can support each week in an online course. The calculation converts available staff time into learner-facing minutes, accounts for the share of time that can actually be used for support, and then holds back a capacity reserve. Use the gross and planned capacity figures to set enrollment limits, compare staffing scenarios, or identify when support demand may exceed the team’s practical workload.
Planned capacity is the enrollment load that fits after non-support time and the chosen safety reserve are recognized. Gross capacity shows the theoretical load before that reserve.
This is a workload estimate, not a guarantee of response time. Learners with complex needs may require more support than the average entered.
With 40 weekly hours, 20 minutes per learner, 75% direct-support utilization, and a 10% reserve: gross capacity is 90 learners and planned capacity is 81 learners.
Administration is reflected by reducing the direct-support utilization percentage.
Yes. Enter their combined weekly hours if they share the same average utilization and support-time assumptions.
Planned capacity subtracts the reserve you chose for demand variation and unexpected work.
Capacity falls in direct proportion because each learner consumes more of the available support minutes.
Use active learners who are expected to consume support time during the measured week.
| Variable | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Weekly support hours | Total staff hours assigned per week |
| Minutes per learner | Average weekly direct-support time |
| Utilization | Share of assigned time available to learners |
| Reserve | Capacity held back for variation |