A method for determining a number of calls to generate in an automated contact center, wherein the automated contact center comprises a dialer for dialing generated calls and an agent pool where successfully connected dialed calls are handled by agents. The method collects empirical data on durations in which calls spend in the dialer and agent handling times. The collected data is used to generate discrete density or discrete distribution functions. Using the discrete density or distribution functions, an individual impact is calculated for each call presently in the dialer. The method uses the individual impacts to calculate a dialer impact, which is used to predict a future agent occupancy. Based upon the prediction, a number of calls to generate is determined. Calls are generated based upon the number of calls to generate.