In an effort to track her time use at work BME's Kelly Rockwell tested out an app to find out how she spent her time and if it could help her improve her productivity. This is what she found.

What is the app and what is it designed to do?

The app is called Toggl and it is designed to track your time. I used the free app and they do have a Pro version as well. The free app is very useful.

What did you hope to achieve by using it?

There are two main purposes for this app. The first is to track an employees time on projects for the sake of determining billable hours and the second, which I used it for, is to manage my time at work to be more efficient and productive. 

Have you used an app or other technology before to help you start a good habit? If so, how did it help you?

I do use a nutrition tracker app on my phone to help my diet stay on track but this is my first time using a time tracker app. The nutrition app does help quite a bit, not only to count calories but also track my sodium and vitamins which is important to me. 

How much time or effort are you willing to spend to help you work toward your goal?

Goals do take discipline and time. For a good habit to start you should carve out about an hour each day to prepare for whatever goal you have in mind. For example, the nutrition app takes extra time when planning the meals for grocery shopping and preparing the homecooked meals the day before as well as setting out lunch. The time tracker took more time at first getting it started and designating the task in the appropriate category. After that, it was just making sure I go back and correctly enter my time for added meetings and last minute projects.

Was the app easy to use?  How often did you use it? 

It was very easy to use and the reports it generated were fascinating. I know I spend a good portion of my day completing projects that I did not have on my to-do list and "putting out small fires" but to see how much time it really took from my list was surprising. I used it quite frequently throughout the work day. Everytime my work project or meeting changed I would mark it down. 

Did it inspire you to take actions to work towards your goal?  

I am still working on this part. I already noticed in my last week of tracking that my time management was better controlled. I would like to share these findings with my Chair to get his perspective and opinions on time management.

What did you learn from using it?  Will you continue to use it?

I learned that I'm all over the place when it comes to work and my projects. I would like to have more control of my time. I would probably keep using it for at least another 2-3 weeks to have a full month report and then reevaluate it.