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CSQA FIELD GUIDE / Calibration

Calibration for Beginners

For your first Calibration task, do not change many settings: run defaults once, then adjust one item at a time.

Updated 2026-11-01About 3 minLocal test
Quick answer

For your first Calibration task, do not change many settings: run defaults once, then adjust one item at a time. Calibration fixes the problem of two managers scoring the same ticket differently.

Why it matters

Change one variable at a time so you know which setting matters.

Use 5–10 samples, score independently before discussion.

Step by step

  1. Define QA goals and observable behaviors before building a giant scorecard.
  2. Stratify samples by shift, channel and risk so they represent real problems.
  3. Calibrate scoring boundaries before ranking or performance decisions.
  4. Attribute issues to knowledge, process, system or people before choosing fixes.

Common mistakes

  • Scoring without calibration makes managers incomparable.
  • Sampling only easy tickets biases the result.
  • Using QA as punishment makes agents hide context.
  • Looking only at CSAT while ignoring resolution and rework.

Checklist

  • Scorecard has behavioral anchors.
  • Sampling has stratification rules.
  • Calibration records disputed samples.
  • Issues have owners and review dates.

Key facts

  • Use 5–10 samples, score independently before discussion.
  • Resolve disputes against scorecard anchors, not persuasion.
  • Update scorecard version and example library after calibration.

FAQ

How do I start with Calibration?

For your first Calibration task, do not change many settings: run defaults once, then adjust one item at a time. Calibration fixes the problem of two managers scoring the same ticket differently.

How long does it take?

Usually 1-3 minutes; for intermittent issues, run 30 seconds and retest elsewhere.

Is data uploaded?

Runs locally and does not upload video/audio; extensions may still read the page.

Source: MaestroQA calibration