The engineering field is more dynamic now than ever before. Every day there is an influx of newer and more state-of-the-art technology engineers must know how to use to stay ahead of their competitors. With the expanded role of modern engineers, the increased volatility of their work, and the substantial need for engineer staffers to find suitable talent, employee and project management are quite challenging for engineering professionals. Luckily, there are powerful tools engineering firms can utilize to make operations easier to track and manage, with one of the most critical tools being time management software.
Here is why time tracking is important for your engineering firm and why you should consider using it:
Time Tracking Software
Time is an incredibly valuable resource in the engineering field. If engineering firms are number-crunching profits, they should also be number-crunching time. After all, time has a direct impact on their bottom line. Efficient use of time equates to more productivity and helps you fast track towards your goals. That is why companies who utilize smart time management software get the most out of their employees and complete tasks more effectively. Likewise, there are far fewer headaches and confusion along the way. With time management software, engineers can see their workload, prioritize urgent projects, and perform customer site visits much quicker, all of which enables engineering managers and engineers to save time and lower costs.
How Time Tracking Software Can Help Your Firm
Improved Time Management
An astounding 89% of workers admit to wasting time at work. However, when you switch to a modern time tracking software, you improve the overall efficiency of time management in your firm. The software improves communication between company departments and helps minimize human error. Likewise, your attendance tracking accuracy improves because you can see who worked on what project, and how many hours they worked.
When you enter payroll information manually, it can be subject to human errors, which can result in lost dollars, and therefore, profits for your firm. But when you use attendance tracking, it eliminates the possibility of human error. Not to mention, when you transfer time tracked directly to your payroll software, HR now has more time to focus their attention on other priorities.
Seamless Project Management & Tracking
Time tracking software allows you to stay on top of project time and expenses. Track hours down to the second so you know in real-time where you are in regards to project budgets. Know what tasks or employees are going over their time allotted and why.
Run detailed reports on past projects to review time spent on each task, costs and profit earned, use this data to provide accurate estimates for future projects. Approve or reject billable time and manage costs against employee time and client billable rates.
Better Task Prioritization
Crafting employee schedules can be a headache for managers. But when you use time tracking software, it eliminates the painstaking hassle of making schedules and determining free time amongst employees manually. Time tracking software also shows you the exact time and length for allotted meetings, training, project proposals, and other important announcements.
It also enables staff members to access their schedules. They can easily view work hours, available vacation hours, and sick days so they can request time off if needed. When you allow your employees to manage their own schedule, it empowers them to tailor-fit their time based on their personal preferences.
Increased Teamwork
When you have a clear-cut and accurate schedule for all of your employee’s tasks, priorities, and activities, it increases productivity and teamwork in the workplace. Employees given goals with a laid-out set time eliminates confusion or miscommunication. Likewise, engineers and team leaders know exactly the project they are working on, who they are working with, and why the project is necessary before it even starts.
When everybody is on the same page at the beginning of a work project, there is better cooperation and communication among team members, which ensures a smooth process. You can also carefully plan out the entire completion of the project through time management software, so everybody on the team has an accurate prediction for the length of the project. Engineers are then aware of their specific deliverables and deadlines and what they need to do to fulfill their inputs within the given time.
More Money Saved
Time tracking software can protect your company against time fraud and payroll abuse. Estimates indicate that 75% of businesses suffer from time theft. The software’s system does not allow for manipulation, as it tracks time logged and the identity of the person. When paired with payroll software, it can also free up labor around the office, so you can focus your efforts on other important matters.
In addition, time management systems can scale to your business. So when your firm grows and takes on more engineering contracts and proposals, you do not need to buy different software to adjust for the growth. Regardless of your firm’s size, time management software is scalable and provides you with the right solutions you need at any level of growth.
Know the Demand of Your Workers
Time tracking software enables you to enforce your attendance policy. You will have employee information on time logged, absenteeism, and tardiness. Employees who are not adhering to their specific schedule cause distractions in the office and disrupt the workflow. Coworkers then have to double down and pick up the worker’s missed hours.
A distinct advantage to time tracking is you can see apparent trends in absenteeism and tardiness, and address the issue at hand before it evolves into a significant problem. You can positively change your employee’s behavior by providing a verbal warning, showing them explicitly where they missed time, and enforcing consequences if they do not change their behavior. Time management software ensures equal treatment for all of your employees. Managers can know which workers are the most productive and give them praise or awards. And conversely, they can see who is missing their schedules and present an adequate warning.
How We Can Help Your Engineering Firm
At eBillity, we developed state-of-the-art time tracking software to help your business keep track of its workforce. When you save time, you are increasing workplace efficiency and saving money. There is no doubt our time tracking software, Time Tracker, will get positive results for your engineering firm. But, do not just take our word for it, try out our free 14-day trial to see the results for yourself!