Systems for work sold by time and deliverable.
WHAT THEY MANAGE
Projects and their structure Resource allocation Time recording Expenses Billing Profitability
WHY TIME RECORDING IS CENTRAL
It determines billing, cost and profitability.
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT
People resent it, and record it late and inaccurately.
WHAT IMPROVES IT
Simplicity Mobile entry Prompt reminders Visible purpose
WHAT RESOURCE PLANNING ADDRESSES
Who is available, when, with what skills.
WHAT UTILISATION MEASURES
The proportion of time that is billable.
WHY IT MATTERS
It determines whether the business is profitable.
WHAT IT MUST BE READ WITH
Realisation: the proportion of recorded time actually billed.
WHY BOTH
High utilisation with low realisation means working without being paid.
WHAT BILLING MODELS MUST BE SUPPORTED
Time and materials Fixed price, with milestones Retainers Capped arrangements
WHAT PROJECT PROFITABILITY REQUIRES
Cost of time recorded against revenue.
WHAT TO REVIEW
Projects losing money, while they can still be corrected.
WHAT TO TRACK
Scope changes, and whether they were charged.
WHY
Uncharged scope change is the commonest cause of unprofitable projects.
