Wrike Time Tracking - Detailed Review
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Wrike Time Tracking - Detailed Review Contents
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Wrike Time Tracking - Product Overview
Introduction to Wrike Time Tracking
Wrike Time Tracking is a feature integrated into the Wrike project management platform, aimed at helping teams and organizations efficiently track and manage the time spent on various tasks and projects.Primary Function
The primary function of Wrike Time Tracking is to allow users to record the hours spent on specific tasks and projects. This helps in improving project planning, resource management, and workload allocation. It also enables teams to track the effectiveness of their work and make data-driven decisions.Target Audience
Wrike Time Tracking is particularly beneficial for professional services providers, companies that work with freelancers, and organizations with multiple projects and employees. It is especially useful for teams that need to track hourly work, manage resources, and prioritize tasks based on time spent.Key Features
Manual and Timer-Based Tracking
Users can track time using a timer that can be started and paused from the task view, or they can manually add time entries. The timer continues running even when the browser window is closed and stops only when paused or when tracking time for another task.Time Reporting and Analytics
Wrike allows users to create and manage timesheets, generate reports, and export data to CSV files. This helps in tracking the workload of team members and providing accurate data for billing and payroll purposes.Time Categories and Comments
Users can create time tracking categories and add comments to their entries, which helps in organizing and contextualizing the tracked time.Approval and Restriction
Managers can review, approve, and restrict timesheets to ensure accuracy and prevent unauthorized changes. Once approved, the timesheet data is locked to maintain integrity.Integration with Project Management Tools
Wrike Time Tracking is part of a comprehensive project management platform that includes features like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and automated workflows. This integration helps teams manage projects more efficiently. By using Wrike Time Tracking, teams can improve their capacity planning, resource allocation, and overall project performance, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Wrike Time Tracking - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of Wrike’s time tracking feature is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for teams to manage and track their time efficiently.Starting the Timer
To track time in Wrike, users can start a timer directly from the task view. Here’s how it works:Steps to Start the Timer
- Open the specific task you want to track time for.
- Click the play button above the task description to start the timer. The timer will continue running even if you close the browser window, and it will only stop if you pause it or start tracking time for another task.
Manual Time Entries
In addition to using the timer, users can also manually log their time. To do this:Steps for Manual Time Entries
- Open the task in Task View.
- Click on the “0:00” next to the play button, which will open a pop-up window.
- Manually enter the time spent on the task, select a date, add a time tracking category, and include any comments if necessary. You can also adjust the time using upward and downward arrows to add or delete 15-minute increments.
Time Tracking Categories and Comments
Users can create time tracking categories for teams to use, which helps in organizing and categorizing the time spent on different tasks. Additionally, team members can leave comments on their time entries, ensuring that everyone is informed and aligned.Time Management and Reporting
Wrike allows users to create, manage, and lock timesheets, which simplifies reporting, billing, and invoicing processes. The platform also provides real-time updates and helps in spotting potential roadblocks, making it easier to manage resources and workload effectively.Accessibility and Integration
Wrike’s time tracking feature is accessible through both desktop and mobile apps, ensuring that users can track their time from anywhere, whether online or offline. This flexibility is particularly useful for teams that work remotely or need to manage their time on the go.Ease of Use
The interface is straightforward, with clear and simple steps to start and manage time tracking. The ability to switch between automatic and manual time logging makes it adaptable to different user preferences. The feature is integrated seamlessly into the broader Wrike project management platform, reducing the need to switch between different tools.Overall User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by Wrike’s intuitive design and the integration of time tracking into the core project management functions. This integration helps teams to stay organized, increase accountability, and improve project performance. The real-time dashboards and analytics provided by Wrike further enhance the user experience by offering a clear and comprehensive view of project progress and time usage.Conclusion
In summary, Wrike’s time tracking feature offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to use, flexible, and well-integrated into the broader project management platform, making it a valuable tool for teams to manage their time effectively. Wrike Time Tracking - Key Features and Functionality
Wrike’s Time Tracking Feature
Wrike’s time tracking feature, integrated into its project management and collaboration software, offers several key features that enhance productivity and time management. Here’s a detailed look at how each function works and its benefits:Time Tracking Methods
Wrike provides two primary methods for tracking time:Using a Timer
To track time using a timer, you start by opening the relevant task in Wrike’s Task View. Click the play button above the task description to initiate the timer. The timer will record the hours spent on the task and add the activity to the task’s history, known as the Activity Stream. You can pause or stop the timer using the dropdown arrow next to it.Manual Time Entry
For manual time tracking, you open the task in Task View and click on the “0:00” next to the play button. A pop-up window will appear where you can manually enter the time spent on the task. You can also use the clock icon to adjust minutes, select a date, add a time tracking category, and include comments for each entry.Time Management and Organization
- Automatic Timer Pause: If you start a timer on another task, the timer on the previous task will automatically pause, ensuring accurate time tracking without overlap.
- Reset Timer: You can reset a task’s timer to start tracking time from zero whenever needed.
Timesheet Management
- Filtering Timesheets: You can filter timesheets by week and team member, allowing you to compare workloads and manage team productivity effectively.
- Review and Approval: Managers can review, approve, and restrict timesheets to prepare for monthly billing or payroll. Once a timesheet is approved, the time tracking data is locked to prevent further changes.
Customization and Reporting
- Non-Billable and Overtime Hours: The time tracking tool can be configured to track non-billable or overtime hours, ensuring all minutes are accurately accounted for.
- Time Tracking Categories: You can add categories to time entries (e.g., “writing” or “proofreading”) and include comments, which helps in detailed reporting and analysis.
Integration and Automation
While Wrike’s time tracking does not inherently integrate AI, it can be connected with other tools using Zapier, which allows for automation of repetitive tasks. For example, you can set up Zaps to log new tasks from Wrike as time entries in other time tracking tools like Timely Time Tracking or Time Tracker, enhancing the automation of your workflow.Conclusion
In summary, Wrike’s time tracking feature is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing for both automatic and manual time tracking, comprehensive timesheet management, and customizable reporting. However, there is no direct integration of AI within Wrike’s native time tracking functionality. Wrike Time Tracking - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Wrike’s time tracking software is part of its comprehensive project management tool, allowing users to log worked hours, create, review, approve, and restrict timesheets. Here are some performance highlights:
- Users can start and stop timers or manually enter their hours in the online timesheet software, which helps in tracking time accurately.
- The system allows for filtering timesheets by week and team member, enabling easy comparison of workloads.
- Time tracking can be configured for non-billable or overtime hours, ensuring every minute is accounted for correctly.
However, there are some performance-related limitations:
- Wrike’s time tracking features are not fully integrated into the core software; instead, users may need to rely on third-party tools like Toggl or TimeCamp for seamless time management.
- The time tracking feature is only available on the Business plan and higher, which can be a limitation for users on lower-tier plans.
Accuracy
Wrike’s time tracking is designed to capture precise work times automatically and verify the accuracy of time records. Here are some accuracy-related aspects:
- The system allows for automatic pausing of timers when switching tasks, ensuring accurate time allocation.
- Timesheets can be reviewed, approved, and locked to prevent any additional time from being tracked after approval, which helps maintain data integrity.
Despite these features, there are some areas for improvement:
- Wrike’s time tracking does not differentiate between overtime hours and regular hours, which can complicate overtime calculations.
- The process of tracking time, especially for multitasking employees, might not be as user-friendly as some users would prefer.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
- Integration Needs: Wrike’s reliance on third-party tools for comprehensive time tracking can make the workflow more cumbersome.
- Plan Restrictions: The availability of time tracking only on higher-tier plans can limit its usefulness for smaller teams or those on free or lower-tier plans.
- User Experience: The interface can feel outdated and less intuitive compared to other project management tools, which may affect user engagement and ease of use.
- Advanced Features: Wrike lacks advanced time tracking features such as GPS tracking and geofencing, which are available in other specialized time tracking apps.
In summary, while Wrike’s time tracking feature offers several useful functionalities, it has significant limitations, particularly in terms of integration, plan availability, and advanced feature sets. These limitations can impact its performance and accuracy, especially for teams that require a seamless and comprehensive time tracking solution.
Wrike Time Tracking - Pricing and Plans
Wrike Pricing Overview
Wrike, a comprehensive project management and productivity tool, offers a structured pricing structure with several plans, each catering to different user needs and team sizes.
Free Plan
- Pricing: Free
- Seats: Unlimited users
- Features:
- Team-wide work week
- Task management (200 active tasks and subtasks)
- Board, table, and kanban views
- Email integrations and notifications
- 2GB storage limit
- Enterprise-grade security
Team Plan
- Pricing: $10/user/month (billed annually)
- Seats: 2-15 users
- Features:
- Team-wide work week plus personal schedule tracking
- Unlimited tasks and subtasks
- Board, table, kanban, calendar, Gantt views, and dashboard
- 50 automations/seat
- Request forms
- 2GB storage limit
- Enterprise-grade security
- Integrations with productivity apps like G Suite, Office 365, Slack, and Excel
Business Plan
- Pricing: $24.80/user/month (billed annually)
- Seats: 5-200 users (must contact Wrike for custom quote for more than 15 users)
- Features:
- Everything in the Team plan
- Time tracking
- Project portfolio management
- All boards and real-time report builder
- 200 automations/seat
- Dynamic request forms and proofing
- 5GB storage limit
Enterprise Plan
- Pricing: Custom pricing
- Seats: 5 users
- Features:
- Everything in the Business plan
- 1000 automations/seat
- Tableau integration
- Advanced business intelligence
- API
- 10GB storage limit
- Advanced security (single sign-on, 2FA, and more)
Pinnacle Plan
- Pricing: Custom pricing
- Seats: 5 users
- Features:
- Everything in the Enterprise plan
- Advanced resource and capacity planning
- Advanced analytics and data visualizations
- 1500 automations/seat
- 15GB storage limit
- Locked spaces
- Custom job roles, including performance dashboard job roles
- Real-time budget tracking and custom role creation
Key Points
- Time tracking is only available on the Business plan and higher tiers.
- Scheduling features, such as setting a fixed work week, are available on all plans, but tracking PTO and vacation days is limited to higher plans.
- Wrike requires purchasing seats in groups (5, 10, or 25 users), which can add unnecessary costs for smaller teams.
Wrike Time Tracking - Integration and Compatibility
Wrike Time Tracking Integrations
Wrike time tracking integrates seamlessly with a variety of tools and platforms, enhancing its functionality and compatibility across different devices and environments.Integration with Time Tracking Apps
Wrike can be integrated with several time tracking applications to streamline time management and reporting:- TMetric: This integration allows users to track time directly from Wrike tasks with a single click. The timer button is integrated into each Wrike task, eliminating the need for manual input. Time entries are linked back to Wrike tasks, and reports can be easily generated and exported.
- Hubstaff: Hubstaff integrates with Wrike to provide advanced time tracking, employee monitoring, and payroll management. Users can view and complete Wrike tasks from the Hubstaff app, and time tracked is automatically synced with Wrike. The integration also includes features like automatic screenshots and customizable reports.
- TimeCamp: TimeCamp allows users to track time directly from Wrike tasks and subtasks. The integration enables one-click time tracking, automatic import of time entries, and detailed reports on project profitability and team performance. Users can track time using the TimeCamp desktop app, browser plugins, or mobile apps.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
These integrations ensure that Wrike time tracking is accessible across various platforms:- Desktop: Integrations with TMetric, Hubstaff, and TimeCamp are available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to track time from their desktops.
- Mobile: Mobile apps for Android and iOS are available for TMetric and TimeCamp, enabling users to track time on-the-go.
- Browser: Browser add-ons and plugins for Chrome and Edge are supported by TimeCamp, making it easy to track time directly from the browser.
Automation and Customization
Wrike also offers an integration and automation platform called Wrike Integrate, which allows users to connect Wrike with nearly any app using prebuilt connectors or universal connectors via APIs. This enables the automation of workflows, data syncing, and custom integrations to enhance productivity.Manual Time Tracking within Wrike
While integrations are powerful, Wrike itself also allows for manual time tracking. Users can log and track time spent on tasks directly within the Wrike platform by entering the duration in the task details page. In summary, Wrike time tracking is highly compatible and integrative, offering seamless connections with various time tracking apps, cross-platform support, and the ability to automate and customize workflows to meet specific business needs. Wrike Time Tracking - Customer Support and Resources
Support Channels
Wrike offers multiple support channels to address your queries and issues:
- Live Chat: This is the recommended method for contacting Wrike customer support. You can access live chat at the bottom right of every page on the Help Center. The chat starts with an AI-powered Chat Bot that provides personalized solutions, and if needed, you can connect to a live agent or submit a new support ticket.
- Help Center Request Form: Available for Premium and Premium Support Plus packages, this form is located at the top right of any page on the Help Center. You can submit a ticket and continue interacting via email or directly on the Help Center.
- Phone Support: Also available for Premium and Premium Support Plus packages, you can find the phone number on the Help Center or in your Wrike workspace under Wrike Assistant. For Standard Support, you can request a callback by providing your contact details and preferred time slots.
Scope of Support
Wrike’s customer support focuses on resolving technical product questions, including:
- Troubleshooting and escalating issues to Wrike’s Engineers.
- Clarifying Wrike’s product logic.
- Passing product feedback.
- Questions around features and functionality provided by Wrike.
Additional Resources
Before contacting support, Wrike recommends using the following resources:
- Help Center: Use the search function to find articles or Community threads that may answer your question.
- Troubleshooting Section: Check for easy solutions to typical problems.
- Wrike Status Page: If you encounter an incident, visit this page for live updates and recommendations.
Time Tracking Specifics
For time tracking in Wrike, you can refer to the following resources:
- Time Tracking Guide: Wrike provides detailed steps on how to track time, including starting or pausing timers, manually adding time entries, and creating time reports. This guide is available through various tutorials and support articles.
- Integration Options: Wrike time tracking integrates seamlessly with other tools, such as Clockify for time tracking, Skyvia for data operations, and Power BI or Tableau for advanced analytics and reporting.
By leveraging these support channels and resources, you can effectively manage and optimize your use of Wrike’s time tracking features.
Wrike Time Tracking - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Wrike Time Tracking
Wrike’s time tracking feature offers several benefits that can enhance your project management experience:
User-Friendly Interface
Wrike provides a straightforward way to track time, allowing users to log hours spent on tasks and projects directly within the platform. You can start a timer or manually add time entries, making it easy to use for most users.
Integration with Project Management
Since Wrike is a comprehensive project management tool, its time tracking feature integrates seamlessly with other project management functions like task assignment, Gantt charts, and Kanban boards. This integration helps in streamlining workflows and optimizing resources.
Basic Time Tracking Capabilities
Users can track time spent on individual tasks, view and edit timesheets, and approve individual time entries. This helps in allocating time accurately and managing project hours effectively.
Reporting and Forecasting
Wrike’s time tracking allows for simplified reports and forecasting, which can help in planning and optimizing project resources. It boosts revenue by focusing on billable hours and increases accountability among team members.
Disadvantages of Wrike Time Tracking
Despite its benefits, Wrike’s time tracking feature has several limitations:
Manual Time Tracking
Wrike does not offer automatic time tracking, which means users must manually start the timer or add time entries. This can lead to inaccuracies and forgotten time logs, potentially resulting in lost revenue.
Limited Productivity Management
Unlike some other time tracking tools, Wrike lacks advanced productivity management features such as on-screen pop-ups, employee productivity reports, and screenshots. These features are crucial for managing remote or hybrid work environments.
No Billing, Budgeting, or Invoicing Features
Wrike does not include invoicing features, which means you have to carry out payroll and accounts manually or use another app. This can be time-consuming and inefficient.
Limited Scheduling Capabilities
Wrike’s scheduling features are basic and do not allow for creating shift schedules or differentiating between overtime and regular hours. This can make it difficult to manage work schedules and comply with labor laws.
Availability on Higher Plans
Time tracking is only available on the Business and higher plans, which can be a limitation for smaller teams or those on lower-tier plans.
Accuracy Concerns
The timer continues running even when the browser window is closed, which can lead to inaccuracies if not managed properly. This makes it less reliable for critical tasks like payroll and billing.
In summary, while Wrike’s time tracking feature is useful for basic time logging and integration with project management, it lacks several key features that are essential for comprehensive time and productivity management.
Wrike Time Tracking - Comparison with Competitors
Comparison of Wrike’s Time Tracking Features
Automatic Time Tracking
Wrike does not offer automatic time tracking; users must manually start the timer or log their time entries. In contrast, tools like Timely and TrackingTime with GPT Assistant provide automatic time tracking. Timely captures work activity in the background, eliminating the need for manual input and ensuring accurate, real-time data. TrackingTime uses AI to automate time tracking and task categorization, making it easier to manage time without manual intervention.Integration and Compatibility
Wrike integrates with various work-critical applications such as Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, and Jira, which is beneficial for pulling valuable data and insights. Similarly, Timely and Toggl Track offer extensive integration capabilities. Timely integrates with over 100 apps and popular project management tools, while Toggl Track integrates with over 100 apps and tools as well.Reporting and Analytics
Wrike generates detailed reports and analytics, allowing users to track metrics such as active tasks from a particular department or project folder. These reports can be displayed in spreadsheet or visual formats. Timely and Toggl Track also provide comprehensive reporting features. Timely offers clear, actionable reports that are easy to generate and customize for billing, project management, or performance reviews. Toggl Track provides detailed reports and insights to improve time management.Productivity Management
Wrike lacks advanced productivity management features such as on-screen pop-ups, employee productivity reports, and screenshots, which are crucial for managing time effectively, especially in remote or hybrid work environments. In contrast, Workpuls offers features like app and website usage tracking, screenshots, and stealth mode, which help in boosting productivity and ensuring employees are working efficiently.Billing and Invoicing
Wrike does not have built-in billing, budgeting, or invoicing features, requiring users to handle these tasks manually or through another app. Timely, however, optimizes team rates to drive business profitability and provides features for billable hours tracking, making it easier to process payroll and accounts based on tracked time.Unique Features of Wrike
- Customizable Timesheets: Wrike allows easy editing, sharing, and exporting of timesheets, which is useful for transparency and visibility into employees’ workdays.
- Resource and Workload Perspective: Wrike provides multiple views of ongoing projects and team members’ workloads, helping in forecasting and allocating resources efficiently.
- Mobile Accessibility: Wrike’s time tracker is accessible on both mobile and web applications, making it convenient for employees working away from the office.
Potential Alternatives
If Wrike’s limitations in automatic time tracking, productivity management, and billing features are significant concerns, alternatives like Timely, TrackingTime with GPT Assistant, and Toggl Track might be more suitable. These tools offer a blend of automatic time tracking, advanced reporting, and integration capabilities that can enhance productivity and streamline workflows.Conclusion
In summary, while Wrike is a powerful project management tool with good time tracking features, it falls short in areas like automatic time tracking and advanced productivity management. Tools like Timely, TrackingTime, and Toggl Track offer more comprehensive solutions that address these gaps, making them viable alternatives depending on your specific business needs. Wrike Time Tracking - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Wrike’s Time Tracking Feature
How do I track time in Wrike?
To track time in Wrike, you can use either the timer or manual time log entries. Start by opening the task in Task View, then click the play button above the task description to start the timer. The timer will continue running until you pause or stop it, or start tracking time for another task. You can also manually add time entries by clicking on the dropdown arrow next to the timer and entering the hours and minutes you worked on the task.Can I track time on multiple tasks simultaneously?
No, Wrike does not allow you to track time on multiple tasks simultaneously. Once you start a timer on another task, the timer on the previous task will pause automatically.What happens if I close my browser window while the timer is running?
The timer will continue to run even if you close your browser window. This ensures that you don’t lose any tracked time due to accidental browser closure.How can I add comments to my time entries?
You can add comments to your time entries by manually adding a time log entry. Click on the dropdown arrow next to the timer, enter the hours and minutes worked, and include any relevant comments. You can also categorize each time entry, such as “writing” or “proofreading.”Can I reset the timer on a task?
Yes, you can reset the timer on a task whenever you need to. This allows you to start tracking time again from zero.How can I review and approve timesheets in Wrike?
Wrike allows you to review, approve, and restrict timesheets. You can filter timesheets by week and team member, compare workloads, and ensure accuracy. Once a timesheet is approved, the time tracking data is locked for that week per person, preventing any further changes.Can I configure the time tracker for non-billable or overtime hours?
Yes, Wrike’s time tracking tool can be configured to track non-billable or overtime hours. This ensures that every minute is accounted for correctly, whether it’s billable, non-billable, or overtime.How do I add or delete time tracking categories in Wrike?
To add or delete time tracking categories, go to your profile image in the sidebar, select Settings, then select Time tracking from the menu. Under Time tracking categories, you can click Add or Delete to manage your categories.Can I subscribe to receive updates on time tracking reports?
Yes, you can subscribe to receive updates on time tracking reports. Like any other report in Wrike, you can set up subscriptions to receive updated versions of the reports on selected dates directly in your inbox.How does Wrike’s time tracking improve project management?
Wrike’s time tracking provides 100% visibility on where your team’s time and effort are spent every day. This helps in accurate planning, ensures more time is spent on billable work, and reduces the likelihood of missed deadlines. It also streamlines project resources and avoids inaccurate data. Wrike Time Tracking - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Wrike Time Tracking
Wrike Time Tracking is a comprehensive and integrated feature within the Wrike project management platform, offering a range of benefits that can significantly enhance team productivity, resource management, and project performance.Key Features and Benefits
Time Tracking
Wrike allows users to track time spent on tasks using a built-in timer that can be started, paused, or stopped directly from the task view. This feature continues to run even when the browser window is closed, ensuring accurate logging of worked hours.
Manual Time Entry
Users can also add time entries manually, providing flexibility in how time is tracked.
Time Management and Reporting
Wrike enables the creation, management, and locking of timesheets, simplifying reports, billing, and invoicing processes. This helps in maximizing capacity planning, resource allocation, and workload management.
AI-Driven Insights
While not exclusively part of the time tracking feature, Wrike’s AI capabilities, such as risk prediction and task summarization, can complement time tracking by providing a 360° view of project risks and optimizing resource use.
Who Would Benefit Most
Wrike Time Tracking is particularly beneficial for several types of users:Project Teams
Teams working on complex projects can use Wrike to track time accurately, manage resources better, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Marketing Firms and Professional Services
These organizations can leverage Wrike to improve billing accuracy, enhance productivity, and prioritize projects based on their potential and profitability.
Product Developers
Developers can use Wrike to gain real-time insights into workflows, respond to bottlenecks, and optimize their development processes.
Overall Recommendation
Wrike Time Tracking is a valuable tool for any team or organization looking to enhance their project management capabilities. Here are some key reasons why you might consider it:Accuracy and Efficiency
The automated time tracking feature reduces the need for manual time entry, making it more accurate and efficient.
Improved Accountability
By tracking time spent on tasks, teams can increase individual and team accountability, leading to better performance and productivity.
Enhanced Reporting and Billing
Wrike simplifies the process of generating reports, billing, and invoicing, which is crucial for maintaining financial health and client satisfaction.
In summary, Wrike Time Tracking is a powerful feature that integrates seamlessly with the broader Wrike project management platform. It offers a range of benefits that can improve project performance, enhance productivity, and streamline various administrative tasks. If you are looking for a comprehensive time tracking solution that is part of a larger project management ecosystem, Wrike is definitely worth considering.