Use %e format for effort. If it gives you an error you need newer org-mode, as the patch to fix %e format only got applied recently.
At Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:14:12 -0700, Michael Gilbert wrote: > > Hi all ��> > I want to be able to skim across my agenda and see effort estimates. I have > been looking at the variable org-agenda-prefix-format and wondering if use of > the expression evaluation option in there is the way to do it. However, while > I have configured this prefix to suit me in other ways, writing a suitable > expression to include the effort of the item is beyond my current skills. Any > advice? > > TIA! > > — Michael > > >