Convincing the Crew: How to Implement New Time Tracking Software

Accurately tracking time is a significant challenge in the construction industry. Multiple workforces work across various locations simultaneously, making it nearly impossible to precisely track hours manually.

Traditional punch clocks also introduce issues like buddy punching where employees clock in and clock out for each other when they aren’t present onsite.

Many contractors choose to navigate these challenges by investing in time tracking software.

Key Takeaways

• Attempting to manually track time can lead to employee disputes, inflated labor costs and project delays.
• Construction time tracking software — like WorkMax — offers solutions by automated the time tracking process with digital clock in/out, Geofencing and integration with payroll software.
• To get employee buy-in, it’s important to ask questions, give them a designated manager that will guide them through the changes and clearly outline the benefits of the changes.
• As the system is implemented, it’s important to continue to ask managers and employees questions about their experience to further streamline the time tracking process.

Attempting to overhaul a company’s time tracking methods can be a time-consuming burden, which is why we’ve provided a few basic steps to follow before you invest in construction time tracking software.

1. Assess Your Current Time Tracking System

Before implementing a new solution, evaluate your current time tracking methods. Ask yourself, managers and a few employees who are involved in the time tracking process:

1. Are there frequent time tracking errors?
2. Is data entry time-consuming?
3. Are labor costs inflated due to time stealing tactics like buddy punching?
4. Are there complaints that employees about being paid less than the hours they’ve worked?

Identifying pain points in your existing system will help you determine what features you need in a construction mobile time tracking app. A clear understanding of your challenges ensures that the new system will address specific issues, such as time stealing, time tracking errors and administrative burdens.

Additionally, if your crew understands how the new construction time tracking software addresses their pain points, they will buy in faster, leading to a smoother transition.

2. Select the Right Construction Mobile Time Tracking App

Choosing the right mobile time tracking app is critical for success. Look for features that match the needs of your company. A few things to consider include:

• Ease of Use: The app should be simple enough for all employees to use, especially those with minimal tech experience.
• Time Tracking in Real-Time: Workers should be able to clock in and out in real time, and managers should be able to review detailed timesheets simultaneously.
• GPS Location Tracking and Geofencing: GPS functionality ensures that workers are clocking in while onsite, adding an extra layer of accountability and drastically reducing time theft.
• Integration Capabilities: The app should integrate seamlessly with payroll and Project management systems to reduce errors caused by manual calculations and duplicate data entry.
• Offline Functionalities: Choose an app that works without an internet connection, as construction sites may have poor or no connectivity.

By focusing on these features, you can ensure that the construction time tracking software has what you need to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Your team will see these improvements, leading them to buy in more when they realize the process is easier and more accurate, leading to less back and forth with their managers about time discrepancies.

3. Train Your Team

Once you’ve selected the mobile time tracking app, training is essential to ensure a smooth, successful implementation. Employees need to understand how to use the app to:

• Clock in and out
• Report breaks
• Check their hours

Training should emphasize how accurate time tracking benefits the employees and the company by ensuring fair pay and reducing errors and delays in payroll processing.

For the new time tracking system to work, it’s important to gain employee buy-in. Address any concerns and emphasize that the system is designed to streamline processes, not to micromanage.

Provide clear instructions and offer ongoing support after the initial training. Designate a manager to assist employees who encounter issues with the app.

This support will help workers build confidence as they get acclimated to the new time tracking software. By taking these steps, employees will be less resistant to change, allowing for faster, easier implementation.

4. Monitor and Evaluate the System

After the new time tracking software is in place, it’s important to monitor its effectiveness. Key metrics to track include:

• Accuracy of time entries
• Payroll processing efficiency
• Project budgeting

Regularly check in with employees to gather feedback to determine if there are any issues with the time tracker app or areas that can improved in the process.

This feedback is crucial for making necessary adjustments and ensuring the system is working as intended.

5. Encourage Accountability and Compliance

One of the main advantages of using construction time tracking software is that it can enhance accountability and ensure compliance with labor laws. With live tracking and GPS capabilities, you can:

• Track Hours Accurately: Ensure workers are paid correctly for all billable hours worked.
• Monitor Overtime: Keep track of overtime hours and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Provide Transparent Reporting: Share clear, accurate detailed reporting with employees and management, promoting trust and transparency.

Encourage employees to be diligent with time tracking, and make sure that they understand their diligence helps improve payroll accuracy and ensure fair compensation.

Trust WorkMax With Your Construction Time Tracking

If you’re relying on paper timesheets or Excel for project time tracking or time reports, you’re losing valuable time that could be spent bidding on projects. You need a comprehensive solution.

Implementing mobile time tracking software at your construction company can significantly improve efficiency, accuracy, and project management of your remote teams.

By selecting the right time tracking tool, training your team, and regularly monitoring the system’s performance, you can ensure a smooth transition and long-term success. Construction time tracking software — like WorkMax — is the complete solution for:

• Managing labor costs
• Meeting project deadlines
• Streamlining operations
• Eliminating manual entries

To learn more about WorkMax and why it’s the complete time tracking solution, speak with an expert today!