What it is
Utilization and realization are the two numbers most firms use to talk about staffing and pricing. Utilization is chargeable hours over available hours. Realization is the amount billed over the standard value of the chargeable time. This tracker computes both by person and by month and compares each person with the target for their level.
The log takes one row per person per month. The By Person and By Month sheets read the log, and each ties back to the log totals so a missing name or month shows up. The Instructions explain why one month of realization is noisy and why neither measure is a performance score on its own.
When to use it
- Monthly partner meeting on staffing and billing.
- Setting rates and budgets for next year from last year’s actual results.
- Preparing for staff reviews with factual numbers.
What’s inside
- Settings: first month and target utilization and realization by level
- Time Log: 300 rows with checks for hours exceeding available hours and months outside the period
- By Person: 30 people with utilization and realization against target
- By Month: twelve months of firm totals, with tie-outs to the log
Standard cited
This template follows Firm practice. It is written in our own words, except for phrases the standard requires the document to contain, with [bracketed placeholders] for client details, amounts in USD and dates as MM/DD/YYYY. Check it against the current standard and your firm’s methodology before use.
Questions
How is utilization defined here?
Chargeable hours divided by available hours. Available hours are standard hours less leave and holidays. Chargeable and non-chargeable hours are tracked separately, and the accounted-hours column shows how much of available time the two explain.
Why is monthly realization unreliable?
Billing lags work. A month with heavy work and little billing shows low realization, and the reverse the next month. Read it by quarter or year.
What targets should I use?
The targets are blank because they are a firm decision that depends on level, practice mix and pricing. Enter your own on the Settings sheet.
Can I use it for a part-year period?
Yes. Set the first month and enter only the months you have. The By Month rows after the last entry show zero.
Related templates
- Busy-Season Capacity Planner (Excel)
- Time and Budget Variance Workbook (Excel)
- Staff Performance Evaluation Form
- Staff Competence and Training Matrix
Last updated 11/05/2026. All free templates.