It seems like my interface projects are stacking up. How do I know if I have the right number of FTEs?

I am going to answer this from the management prospective and the technician's prospective.  The basic question you have to ask yourself is why?  What is causing the back log?  Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Have you received an unusual number of requests to add  interfaces?
• Has there been an increase in absenteeism or leave of absences?
• Have the support issue increase where staff can not get to development?
• Are your current projects wrapping up as expected?
• Is your staff being asked to do task outside their normal duties?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you probably don't have an issue with the correct number of FTE.  All of these scenarios can be managed without adding FTEs.  However, if the increase of interface request and the increase of support issues is going to be a new "normal", you should measure your FTEs against the new normal.  If it is just a bubble, then you can add contract help to get your through.

If you answer no to every question, then you need to assess your FTEs.  Most likely, the volumes are not matching your resource hours. 

I want to address this from a technician view point.  Are there any inefficiencies that are causing your staff to do redundant task?  If you have multiple interface engines, you could be doing duplicate work if you have come up with an architect to migrate interfaces, scripts, or logic to multiple machines.  Many technicians tend to just learn to live with it and don't think anything of it.  However, the inefficiencies increase when the number of interface increase.  What was once an hour here or there, can suddenly start taking 3-4 hours a week.  A fresh set of eyes to look over your environment may be warranted.