Traditional/Manual/Paper-based

This is the traditional method of recording working hours on a paper form each day. Workers themselves write down the time they clock in, their breaks, their overtime, the tasks they did, and other relevant information. Although this is the least expensive method, it’s time-consuming, prone to errors, and lost documents.

For data retrieval, it’s the hardest. Managers will have difficulty tracking trends and creating reports based from the weekly timesheets. Aside from that, they have to be the ones to manually calculate their working hours. Additionally, after workers submit their papers, the timesheets need to be approved manually. This leads to payroll processing to be also done manually.

Spreadsheet Software (like Excel and Google Sheets)

This method involves having a pre-built document in Excel or Google Sheets. Since these software support formulas, managers can input the appropriate formulas to automate the calculations. In order to create another spreadsheet, they can copy the file and start from scratch. This type of method can lead to possibly disorganised files. Such method is also prone to loss of documents.

The other cons of this method are that it also requires manual input, files tend to get lost in folders in computers, it’s still also prone to human error like formulas not being applied correctly or workers accidentally deleting other entries, and there may be no automated updates for tracking. There are no signatory fields that can be placed inside the spreadsheet or a way to automate the approval process.

Creating and Managing a Weekly Timesheet for Multiple Employees via Dashpivot

Dashpivot is an information management system that allows users to create their own weekly timesheets via its off-the-shelf timesheet app.

Unlike the traditional and manual method, Dashpivot automates the entire data entry process. Users can set fields and the workers can easily type in data using their mobile phones or tablets. It’s especially convenient for on-site entry. In the event that there is no internet connection, data is automatically saved and will be synced later on.

All weekly timesheet documents are saved in a centralised database, where it’s easy to search and retrieve files. Because it’s all in the cloud, anyone who has access to the database will have access to all files. Dashpivot also has layered permissions to enhance security and avoid anyone from accidentally deleting data and documents.

There are text fields, tables, drop downs, date fields, number fields, formula fields, and more. Similar to Excel and Google Sheets, formula fields can cater calculations. Upon data entry, results are automatically generated. This makes it easier, most especially in deducting hours, totalling hours, and even assist in the payroll system. You can view an example construction timesheet template here, which also shows how it is downloaded from the system as a PDF.

Managers are able to track trends and patterns based on data in the timesheets. There are dashboards and charts for analytics within Dashpivot. Additionally, documents in Dashpivot can be integrated in advanced analytic platform like Power BI. This is especially helpful in tracking resource allocation and employee performance.

Last but not the least, Dashpivot automates the approval process. Just simply drag and drop signature fields and conveniently send over to relevant persons for e-signature approval.

All in all, Dashpivot is the perfect digital tool that can streamline the entire weekly timesheet process, similarly enhancing payroll management system, employee performance tracking, and data analytics.