Good methods / apps for timekeeping in the workplace?

[mr_norris]

Over the last year or so, the company I work for requested that we keep track of what we're doing and how much time we're spending on it, each day.

While it's not compulsory (in a sense that only some did it, and it wasn't enforced), I prefer doing so as I have to deal with many interruptions and other work, while primarily working on bigger projects.

The company is mostly development orientated, so developing something isn't an issue - it's how to make it efficient that is.

At the moment we use a simple form. It's pretty much:

- Selecting the category (dev, admin, etc)
- Selecting the project or task if applicable
- Selecting hours spent on it
- A text box for notes

I think if it was enforced, I'd work well with it. But it's not, so I constantly forget to update it.

I've even gone as far as writing things down on a notepad and then filling in the form at the end of the day or week. That didn't work very well, and it didn't last long.

So really, are you required to keep track of time at work? And if so, what's your method / or what works for you?

 

[creeper]

Paymo.com

Lots of design companies use it.

 

[Batista]

Mybb keeps track of my time @ work.

 

[mr_norris]

Paymo.com

Lots of design companies use it.

That link is faulty, but Paymo.biz works

I see they're quite boss when it comes to time keeping. Will show one of the managers here and see what he thinks.

 

[creeper]

Oops. Only remembered Paymo. .

 

[mr_norris]

LOL, no worries

 

[Xiphan]

Since you're a developer why not develop your own app?

 

[mr_norris]

Since you're a developer why not develop your own app?

Come now, it's easy to develop something. It's not easy to develop something useful

If I could think up some efficient process flow, I would.

 

[DominionZA]

When I started my business in 2004 I out together a timesheet system for logging hours, and generating invoices directly from the time sheet. Had lots of plans for the system, but time not on my side. It does the basics and enables me to keep track of what I do and generate my invoices.
I did start a visual studio plugin that integrated with my system, but due to time constraints I never got around to finishing it. It works, but has some bugs.

I also used to be slack with filling in my timesheets and often lost hours. It is now just a religious thing I do. I complete something, I commit to source repo and go log a timesheet entry. Just a habit you got to get into.