I have been looking for some ideas for the first post for a long time. But an occasion came up just yesterday, as I saw a link to RescueTime - a software tool that allows you to measure and breakdown your computer usage time.
This program tracks the usage of different programs, such as the Outlook, text editor, IDE. In addition, within the web browser, it tracks the usage time of different websites.
Now, in addition to the time slicing statistics, it also classifies each program as either productive or distracting, giving you an accurate overall on your productiveness. Any work-related sites are counted as productive, whereas sites like Facebook and Youtube are counted as distracting.
All the data is presented to the user in a nice web-based dashboard, where you can check your statistics, and even put alert rules on different usage patterns.
The program requires the installation of a slim agent on your workstation, that acquires the usage data and sends it to RescueTime website. RescueTime specify which information is collected, transferred and saved, and address privacy concerns.
Now why do I find this tool so interesting ?
Many people participate in many different activities during their work day. But can they quantify it ?
How much time does one spend on average reading and responding to mails ?
How much time does one spend consuming work-related material from web sites, wikis, etc ?
How much time does one spend on actual software development ?
And, not the least important, how much time does one spend on distracting activities ?
A bit of news reading there, some blogs here, checking your Facebook and private email accounts a few times a day, some chatting with friends... How long does all of this take from your day ?
Now, taking short breaks during work is encouraged and in fact shown to increase productivity. So you would just like to know that the time you spend on such distracting activities is reasonable and proportional.
Well - a first step with RescueTime can be just to measure how much of your time is spent on such non-productive activities. And then, you can see how reasonable that amount is, by comparing your stats against those of others.
I am sure that some people are more easily distracted than others. Measuring how much of your work time it actually takes can be a first step to improving your time management and improving the focus on the tasks you have.
I have just started using it myself today, so I will see what I can learn from my own behavior, and I will share these thoughts in my next posts.
Comments are certainly welcome.
