Time tracking tools aren't keeping up with mobile workforces

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Modern businesses are increasingly concerned with agility and efficiency and this leads them to seek more mobile solutions. But a new report shows that workforces are struggling with outdated processes that don't adequately support this new world.

The study by performance management specialist Changepoint shows that organizations using time and task data to guide business decisions are relying on old-fashioned methods including Excel spreadsheets (28 percent) and even pen and paper (36 percent).

The company surveyed more than 800 global project managers, executives, and IT professionals and found that 77 percent aren't confident in the accuracy of the timesheets they approve. Meanwhile, 49 percent of project managers aren't sure they’re tracking their time right either. A quarter of project managers believe that tracking has a negative impact on productivity.

"We use our smartphone to check the weather, confirm flight info, read the news, call an Uber, or order coffee", says Eric Bergman, vice president, product management at Changepoint. "Mobile is second nature but some of the most agile, tech-forward businesses still use spreadsheets and paper to collect business-critical data despite its impact on staffing and project decisions".

Other findings are that throughout the workday, 95 percent of respondents use mobile for work-related tasks. More than a third (35 percent) bring three to four devices to work and 78 percent would use a mobile app to input and submit time and task data.

People are often juggling multiple projects too. Virtually all (97 percent) of team members are allocated to more than one project, with almost half (49 percent) on four or more, and 18 percent juggling seven or more. Managers are spread even more thinly with 62 percent managing four or more projects and 26 percent overseeing seven or more.

You can read more in the full report which is available from the Changepoint website.

Photo credit: dani3315 / Shutterstock

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