Time Tracking Software For Architects (5 Options)

time tracking software for architects

Are you looking for the best time tracking software for architects? 

After searching high and low for the best time clock solutions for architects, we’ve come up with a definitive list of five for you to choose from. 

Architects encounter distinct challenges when managing time for projects. 

Firstly, traditional methods can be labor-intensive, consuming valuable hours and leading to inaccuracies. 

Time tracking software alleviates this by automating timesheet creation and reducing administrative burdens. 

Secondly, architects often grapple with the need for specificity, especially in billing phases and contracts. 

Dedicated timekeeping software addresses this by offering customizable features, ensuring precise tracking aligned with architectural workflows. 

Lastly, the unique workflow of architecture demands verticalized solutions. 

Buddy Punch, designed exclusively for architects, offers features that resonate with industry nuances, enhancing efficiency and project management. 

Suppose you find tracking employee time and measuring profitability challenging. In that case, you need to invest in an accurate time tracking tool and have it in your corner to provide real-time data.

Ready to give Buddy Punch a try?

For free trial, no credit card required.

With access to a time clock platform, architecture firms can successfully track employee time and payroll hours across their workforce. 

It all comes down to leveraging the right solution. 

What Features Should Architects Look For In Time Tracking Software?

time tracking for architects

Architects require specialized tools that align with the unique demands of their profession. 

When evaluating time tracking software, architects should carefully consider specific features that cater to their workflow and project intricacies.

1. Integrated Project Management Capabilities

Architects often juggle numerous tasks, from budgeting and scheduling to resource allocation. 

The ideal software should track time and offer project planning, scheduling, and budgeting tools. 

2. Phased Time Tracking

Given the nature of architectural projects structured around phases, the software should facilitate time tracking at a granular level. 

Architects bill based on different project phases, and the software should enable them to track time and expenses according to these distinct stages.

3. Ease of Use and Administration

Architecture firms may not always have dedicated IT experts, making user-friendly software a necessity. 

The time tracking tool should be intuitive, requiring minimal training for architects and support staff. 

Additionally, administrative tasks such as setting up projects, managing users, and generating reports should be straightforward, allowing architects to focus on their core responsibilities rather than grappling with complex software.

4. Verticalization for Architecture

A verticalized solution ensures that the software is tailored to the nuances of architectural processes, distinguishing it from generic tools designed for other professional services. 

This alignment enhances the software’s relevance to architects, offering features and functionalities that directly address their day-to-day requirements.

5. Comprehensive Reporting and Insights

Time tracking goes beyond merely logging hours; architects need actionable insights derived from the data. 

The software should provide comprehensive reports on project progress, employee workloads, and financial aspects. 

These reports empower architects to make informed decisions, identify areas for improvement, and gain a holistic view of their firm’s performance.

Top 5 Time Tracking Software For Architects

  1. Buddy Punch
  2. When I Work
  3. Insightful
  4. Timely
  5. DeskTime

1. Buddy Punch

buddy punch.png

You name it, Buddy Punch can do it. 

This time clock software solution can play a pivotal role in unifying workflows and making it easy for architects to complete time entries quickly. 

This data is reflected in real-time in Buddy Punch’s intuitive dashboard. 

With a range of resources to automate and streamline time tracking, both employees and project managers love this solution.

How Buddy Punch’s Time Clock Software Works

Buddy Punch enables project managers and team leaders to track employee progress and monitor performance swiftly

Buddy Punch is the tool for you if you want to increase employee oversight to keep a cap on project budgets and general project costs. 

Teams can seamlessly clock in and begin their working day while leaders are fed accurate data in real-time.

Automatically Trigger Employee Breaks

Regarding accounting for employee breaks in your time tracking, Buddy Punch comes with an automatic breaks feature – which enables team leaders and project managers to specify the set number of hours the architects must work before the ‘break rule’ kicks in. 

Buddy Punch can automatically deduct time from architect punch clocks without admin input.

Streamline Your Architecture Firm’s Data Management

Streamlining data management has never been easier with Buddy Punch at your fingertips. 

You can immediately access customizable reports at just the tap of a button. 

Collecting online timesheets and processing their data is remarkably straightforward with Buddy Punch. 

This is far more than simply a project management tool. 

It’s an all-encompassing solution.

Built-In Notifications For Architecture Firms

To stay on top of team progress and closely monitor employee performance, Buddy Punch offers built-in notifications

Notifications

When your architecture firm’s team leaders and project managers view their dashboards, they will quickly gain a clear picture of workforce progress. 

This is perfect for firms that must improve employee oversight and track employee performance.

After you have explored Buddy Punch’s many different functionalities, we recommend looking through the extensive documentation stored on our “Knowledge Base,” – which breaks down everything you could wish to know about Buddy Punch. 

No matter the question, our support team is always poised and ready to provide you with an answer.

You can book a one-on-one personalized demo here.

How Buddy Punch Simplifies Architectural Time Management?

Time management in architecture firms involves tracking the hours spent on various projects, tasks, and clients. 

Here are ways in which Buddy Punch might simplify architectural time management.

1. Accurate Time Tracking

Buddy Punch allows employees to clock in and out accurately, ensuring their work hours are recorded precisely. 

2. Project-Based Tracking
Project Tracking

The software may track project-based time, allowing architects to allocate their time to specific projects. 

3. Real-Time Monitoring

Supervisors and project managers can monitor time entries in real time. 

This feature is beneficial for keeping track of work progress, identifying potential issues, and ensuring that projects stay on schedule.

4. Overtime Management
Overtime Alert

If architecture projects demand overtime work, Buddy Punch can help track and manage overtime hours, ensuring compliance with labor laws and providing transparency to employees and management.

5. Custom Reporting

The software might offer customizable reporting features, enabling architects and managers to generate reports tailored to their needs. 

This can include reports on project hours, employee productivity, and other relevant metrics.

6. Integration with Project Management Tools

Integration with project management tools can streamline workflows. 

For example, Buddy Punch might integrate with architectural project management software, allowing seamless time-tracking data transfer.

7. Leave and Absence Management

The software may include features for managing vacation days, sick leave, and other absences. 

This ensures that architects’ schedules accurately reflect, helping in resource planning.

8. Mobile Accessibility

Architects often work on-site or remotely. 

Mobile accessibility of Buddy Punch enables them to clock in and out, submit time entries, and manage their schedules from anywhere.

Buddy Punch Offers Many Useful Features

That was just a summary! 

We haven’t even scratched the surface. 

Buddy Punch is filled with everything your architecture firm could need to hold the workforce accountable and accurately track time

Alongside the intuitive and highly practical features we’ve already mentioned, Buddy Punch comes with the following features:

Buddy Punch’s Online Reviews

As of the writing date, Buddy Punch has 4.8 out of 5 stars and 685 reviews on Capterra.

Untitled

Below, we’ll list just a few reviews that speak to Buddy Punch’s ease of use and great customer support service. (Click here to explore the full list of reviews.)

“Great app, check in and out with accuracy, keep in contact with supervisors and can submit photos for proof of visit if not using GPS.”

Click here to read the full review.

“I really like that it tracks and accrues PTO & holiday hours. I don’t have to ask anyone what my PTO balance is! I think it’s smart to be able to add a schedule if you happen to work the same amount of hours each day – much easier to add. I also like that I can add a comment or note of some sort, if needed.”

Click here to read the full review.

“So far, the Buddy Punch App has saved me time with the weekly payroll timecards. I don’t have to depend on the employee turning in their timecard in person on Monday morning. It is especially helpful because they work on multiple job sites and not in the office.”

Click here to read the full review.

“Buddy Punch helps to keep track of the hours worked, PTO. This really helps the payroll person and all the employees and employer.”

Click here to read the full review.

Try Buddy Punch for Free  

Ready to start a free trial?

No credit card required, all features included.

If you feel that Buddy Punch might be the right fit for your business, sign up for a free trial. You can also book a one-on-one demo, or view a pre-recorded demo video.

2. When I Work

As an employee scheduling platform, When I Work can centralize all aspects of employee management. 

From time tracking to expense tracking, project dashboards are used to help with project planning and project estimates. 

When I Work ensures team leaders have accurate real-time data at their fingertips to help them make informed decisions.

At the time of writing, When I Work has a total of 929 reviews on Capterra, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars

When I Work offers various features, some of which include:

“For employers, it’s incredibly easy to manage your employees’ hours all in one place, and for employees, it helps manage your own hours and keep track of your hours that will be on your paychecks, add a great user interface and very user-friendly options and that gives you a great application.”

Click here to read the full review.

3. Insightful

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Insightful is insightful! 

This employee monitoring software can give project managers at architecture firms important insights into their team members’ performance

With simple timers, Insightful makes it remarkably easy to track employee performance during a workday – while providing tools for task management.

At the time of writing, Insightful has 61 reviews on Capterra, with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars

Insightful offers various features, some of which include:

“The software is a great help for employee monitoring, and time tracking. You have options on how you can view timesheet which would make your creation of attendance report easier.”

Click here to read the full review.

4. Timely

You need Timely in your corner to automate time tracking and remove administrative tasks from your workflows. 

This employee time tracking solution is a game-changer for architects with ever-growing workloads that need a straightforward platform for time clocking. 

Whether you’re a small business or a growing architecture firm, Timely will help you track employee time.

At the time of writing, Timely has 208 reviews on Capterra, with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars

Timely offers various features, some of which include:

“I am making more money because I’m not losing those 15-minute client task hours any more thanks to the memory tracker. Also, I lost my billing from months ago, and I was easily able to go back and reprint it, dig through my tracker and see where I was missing stuff. I’d lose out on more than $1,000 a month if I didn’t have this feature.”

Click here to read the full review.

5. DeskTime

DeskTime can be instrumental in optimizing your workflows and improving your team’s overall productivity. 

Architecture firms can utilize DeskTime’s broad range of features, including offline time tracking and shift scheduling, to create a centralized location for performance data. 

If you want to know exactly what your architects are working on in real time, you need this tool.

At the time of writing, DeskTime has 240 reviews on Capterra, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars

DeskTime offers various features, some of which include:

“Great! Overall useful, and provides our employees with a better understanding of what their overall productivity looks like throughout the day. Provides further support to our teams in terms of productivity in certain projects, and a better understanding of what they are actually doing/working on during business hours.”

Click here to read the full review.

Why Should You Use Time Tracking Software For Your Architectural Firm?

Utilizing specialized time tracking software designed for architects offers many benefits that directly impact productivity and overall project success. 

Let’s explore the key reasons architects should consider integrating time tracking software into their workflow.

1. Time Saving

Architects, much like any other professionals, value their time. 

A dedicated time tracking software is designed to streamline time-related tasks, saving architects from tedious manual processes. 

By automating time tracking, these tools eliminate the need for sifting through emails or spreadsheets, enabling architects to focus on what they do best – designing.

Ready to start a free trial?

No credit card required, all features included.

2. Project Tracking And Budgeting

Time tracking software, like Buddy Punch, facilitates comprehensive project management by offering features such as real-time dashboards, calculating payroll hours, and financial transaction integration.

Precise time tracking improves efficiency and productivity for architects who bill by the hour, leading to higher profits. 

3. Reporting And Real-Time Visibility

Time tracking software provides architects with powerful reporting tools, offering real-time visibility into costs, budgets, and overall project profitability. 

In the AIA’s Tech Culture Report context, architects utilizing project management software reported a 68% capability in real-time visibility, compared to 41% for firms without such software. 

This stark contrast emphasizes the importance of adopting time tracking software for enhanced project oversight.

4. Better Decision Making

Time tracking software empowers architects to make informed decisions regarding project pipelines, hiring, and pursuits. 

As reported by 54% of time tracking software users in PMI’s Pulse of the Profession report, understanding the holistic pipeline of potential projects is a key factor in making informed decisions. 

This visibility allows architects to plan for the future, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.

The Challenge of Time Management in Architectural Firms

Time Management (1)

The intricacies of managing projects, meeting tight deadlines, and ensuring that every aspect of a design is meticulously executed require a sophisticated approach to time tracking. 

In architecture, where creativity intersects with precise project management, architects often find it challenging to strike the right balance. 

Here are some key challenges architectural firms face in managing their time effectively.

1. Role of Time in Architecture

Architectural projects are intricately tied to deadlines, and accurately measuring performance and project timelines is paramount. 

The challenge lies in finding time tracking solutions that seamlessly integrate into the workflow, allowing architects to focus on their creative endeavors while ensuring efficient project management.

2. Administrative Ease

Unlike industries with dedicated in-house IT experts, architectural firms often need more extensive technical support. 

Time tracking software must be robust in functionality, user-friendly, and easy to administer. 

The challenge is finding solutions architects and their teams can effortlessly incorporate into their daily routines without requiring specialized technical expertise.

In this context, detailed reports become crucial for architects seeking insights into project timelines and milestones. 

Efficient time tracking software not only simplifies the tracking of billable hours but also generates detailed reports that provide a comprehensive overview of the team’s productivity. 

This feature is especially beneficial for freelancers or remote team members who can utilize the mobile app, available for both Android and iOS, to log their time on various projects. 

The flexibility extends to different platforms, including Excel, Mac, and Chrome, ensuring accessibility and ease of use across diverse work environments.

Additionally, when it comes to client billing and managing billable time, architects can leverage time tracking software to automate the process. 

These tools often integrate with popular project management tools like Trello, streamlining project workflows. 

The ability to distinguish between billable and non-billable hours ensures accurate billing rates and allows architects to efficiently bill clients for the work done. 

Furthermore, for financial management and seamless integration with accounting tools like QuickBooks, time tracking software becomes an indispensable asset. 

This not only enhances the overall efficiency of architectural firms but also empowers them to plan and budget for future projects with confidence.

3. Complexity Reduction

Many time tracking solutions introduce unnecessary intricacies, making them cumbersome for architectural teams. 

The challenge is finding a time tracking software designed with simplicity in mind, eliminating unnecessary complexities and allowing architects to focus on what they do best—designing buildings.

FAQs

What Is Time Expense Tracking Software For Architects?

Time expense tracking software for architects is a specialized tool designed to help architects manage their time and expenses efficiently. 

This software goes beyond basic time tracking, incorporating features that enable architects to handle project-related tasks such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, staffing, invoicing, and more. 

It provides a comprehensive solution for architects to monitor and control project costs and timelines.

How Does Time Tracking Software Help In Managing Project Timelines For Architects?

Architects can use this software to monitor the time spent on various project tasks, identify potential bottlenecks, and ensure that the project progresses according to the planned schedule. 

It facilitates accurate project planning, resource allocation, and helps architects stay on top of deadlines, ultimately contributing to efficient project management.

How Does Real-Time Tracking In Time Tracking Software Benefit Architects In Their Daily Work?

Real-time tracking in time tracking software offers architects immediate visibility into ongoing projects. 

This benefit allows architects to monitor progress, identify issues, and make timely adjustments. 

Real-time insights help make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and ensure the project stays on track. 

It enhances communication within the team and allows architects to respond promptly to changing project dynamics, fostering a more agile and responsive work environment.

Is Time Tracking Software Suitable For Architects Who Work Remotely Or On Different Project Sites?

Many modern time tracking solutions, including those mentioned above, offer cloud-based and mobile functionalities. 

This allows architects to track their time, manage projects, and access crucial information from anywhere, making it ideal for on-site or remote professionals. 

The flexibility of these tools supports the dynamic and diverse work environments often encountered in architecture.

Try Buddy Punch for Free  

Ready to give Buddy Punch a try?

For free trial, no credit card required.

If you feel that Buddy Punch could be the right fit for your business, sign up for a free trial. You can also book a one-on-one demo, or view a pre-recorded demo video.

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