Time Tracking tools

Time tracking tools are computer-based programs that provide instruments for controlling working time of individuals, business units, equipment, etc. As far as time is one of the most valuable and important business resources, time tracking tools are widely used in business in order to ensure on-time completion of different tasks, projects, etc. The obvious business benefits of the time tracking tools are the following:

• Avoiding uncontrollable waste of business time, therefore increasing efficiency;
• Better awareness of the staff, so that everyone gets focused on target dates and commitments;
• Avoiding procrastinations (minimizing delays on meeting time constraints);
• Getting overview of business timeline to stay always aware of upcoming events, deadlines, etc;
• Calculating wages and remunerations in a more fair manner;
• Controlling the status (completion, progress) of work at any point of time;

Specific functions that a good project time tracking tool should cover:

In other words the best tools include the full set of instruments supporting all these mentioned functions, but actual realization can differ from product to product. Generally, the solutions provide their users with the following capabilities:

• Planning time scopes of working tasks (determining start and finish dates of activities);
• Planning working time of manpower and equipment (setting engagement of business resources);
• Planning business events (milestones, critical target dates, project due dates, etc);
• Planning priorities of tasks (directing concentration of resources at vital tasks);
• Planning reminders (setting up alerting messages on upcoming events, dues dates, etc);
• Getting reports on how time is used (to check if actual results meet the plan);

What is the difference between personal time tracking tools and ones for projects?

Actually the core difference is not in time management capabilities, but in possibilities for allotting tasks, resources, etc. Personal time tracking tools are working instruments that can be used by a sole person who needs to accomplish his/her tasks on time, track status of his/her appointments, be aware of upcoming events and due dates, get his/her productivity reported, etc (generally all project managers need to do the same), while a project time tracking tool (such as MS Project) should provide a similar functionality (of course it needs to be strengthen with certain additional options) but adapted to needs of a workgroup (enabling multiple people collaborating at the shared goals). 

What technologies are used for operating time tracking tools?

• Online time tracking tools – this kind of tools operates via the Internet (Web-based or PHP) and needs a web-browser to access and use its interface. There is a plenty of free tsoolutions among such solutions. Such solutions can be recommended to virtual teams that need to collaborate internationally over the Internet, but not to solid organizations with a stable staff. 

• Open Source time tracking tools – this kind of tools allows users to modify its code to design and develop their own solutions. It is recommended to big corporations with powerful IT staff (including qualified programmers), and that are ready to invest their budgets into developing their own solutions meeting their sophisticated needs.
• Different Operating systems – there are not many of cross-platform solutions, so even if you can find a solution satisfying your requirements, it may not work on Windows platform as it is let’s say a sample of Mac time tracking tools.

Effective time tracking tool for Windows:

VIP Task Manager is worldwide-recognized software for small and medium business, which can work both as a personal and project time tracking tool, as it supports client-server technology for multiple people to collaborate on planning, prioritizing, categorizing, reporting and controlling their working time and tasks. This tool is not free or open-source, but it is an effective commercial solution with time tracking tools free trial version (30-60 days) and on-line support service.