A Guide to Time Management Using BigTime Software vs Confluence Software
Time management includes monitoring the number of hours spent on making progress with project-related tasks and activities. It is one of the most important functions of project management software and includes many tools and techniques that help teams make better use of their time. This article does a comparison of the robust features of Bigtime software vs Confluence software that helps users divide their time so that employees can juggle multiple tasks and submit deliverables before the deadline.
The Importance of Time Management
Each project begins with an official end date whether it is fixed or an estimate. All projects need a schedule to make sure they are ready to deliver to the client by then. The schedule takes every team member’s number of hours into account and makes sure there is enough time for them to meet their targets. If there is no beginning or end date for a project and the team members do not make time for it in their schedule then it will never be completed.
Without time management a project is prone to constant delays and the people working on it might get too busy to prioritize the tasks. There is no point in adding items to the to-do list when there is no time to get to them. Without planning, the employees might not even have the resources to complete tasks when they find the time. They might realize they lack the expertise, technology, or proper permits to execute a task too late. All these situations and more demonstrate the importance of time management. BigTime software vs Confluence software helps get things done by providing users with a well-mapped timeline and arranging tasks by priority.
The Main Processes Included in Time Management
Managing Schedules
Many software does not mention this process in their time management modules however, it is a necessary tenet to help teams complete all the steps. They need to plan how to manage schedules and answer the most common questions. BigTime software can be used by all team members to create, update and review schedules. It is easy to use and provides controls to everyone involved and makes sure they are always on track to complete their tasks on time.
Create Tasks
Once the team has come up with a time management plan, they will be able to identify and define their project management activities. They can break down each deliverable into separate tasks and define the activities based on them. It also takes major milestones into account when assigning roles and responsibilities to users.
Assign Priority Levels
Confluence software helps define priority labels and assign them to tasks. This helps the team members know what they should focus on first instead of wasting time on low-priority level tasks. It also manages task dependencies so the users can provide their deliverables and keep the workflow going. Tasks no longer have to be delayed because the linked action item was not completed.
Estimate Resource Availability
Project management resources include people, tools, systems, materials, budgets, and other non-tangible items. Both BigTime software vs Confluence software help managers estimate the availability of each one for upcoming tasks so they do not have to suffer from scheduling conflicts.
Project Timelines
Once the team is aware of the tasks that need to be completed and what they have to do to accomplish them, they need to estimate the time it will take to complete each activity. The project managers can use BigTime software to project the completion dates based on the current pace, nature of the task, and many other factors that affect the duration.
Add Activities
The project schedule depends on all the activities including their starting date, duration, ending date, and sequence. The task dependencies as well as other details need to be inputted in BigTime software to get the most out of it.
Manage Workload
Once the schedule has been finalized, the managers need to monitor it to ensure it is being followed. Progress can only take place when the timeline is reviewed and updated regularly. The employees need to refer to it regularly to make sure that they can compare it with the actual dates on which tasks are being completed. This way they know whether or not they are on track to finish by the completion date.
Most Useful Time Management Features
There are several features included in BigTime software vs Confluence software that help managers allocate tasks and efficiently manage available time. They can use their experience and the tools available to ensure that the client is receiving their deliverables before the deadline. A few of them have been highlighted below.
Kanban Boards
A Kanban board is a visual tool that allows the project team to get a quick overview of all upcoming tasks and assigned responsibilities. Every card represents a task and contains all the information necessary to complete it. It includes attachments, due dates, dependencies, and other details a team member will need during the project.
Time Trackers
Projects can take a lot of time to complete but once the team has reached the end, it can be difficult for them to remember which employee spent how many hours on which tasks. This information might not be available on the Confluence dashboard but they can use the time tracker feature to allot time for every project stage. Without this feature invoicing and billing can be very inaccurate. It also offers insights into the internal processes and promotes the best practices to keep teams productive.
Collaboration
Most teams waste their time on tools that have poor communication features. These can be in the form of unintuitive interfaces or the inability to integrate multiple communication channels. A lot of project time is wasted on emails, phone calls, and other forms of unnecessary back and forth. Confluence software provides a simplified version of communication that can be handled right from the platform. It is easier to clarify positions and conclude discussions with a few comments made directly on the task cards.
Conclusion
Without the help of reliable software, time management might be the downfall of any project. By making the right decision between BigTime software vs Confluence software, teams can free themselves up to focus on what is most important.
