Time management resolutions for 2025

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New year, new habits: Mastering time tracking in Jira

January flew by so quickly. Getting back into the groove after the Holidays and kicking off new initiatives and plans for the year took longer than expected, again. Did you have enough capacity this month to finally handle your team’s time tracking like you promised yourself you would? If the answer is not a resounding yes: you’re not the only one.

Here’s the good news: You can still do that—and you don’t even need a magical spell or an all-knowing time wizard. What you need is the right mindset, a clear process, and a few helpful tools to make time tracking less of a chore and more of a strategic advantage.

Why time tracking matters (Yes, really)

Time tracking often gets a bad rap. It’s perceived as tedious, overly administrative, or—in the worst cases—a tool for micromanagement. But when done right, it can:

• Improve project planning: By knowing where your team spends their time, you can better estimate future work and avoid over-committing.

• Enhance transparency: Clear time logs help stakeholders understand the effort behind every deliverable.

• Boost efficiency: Identifying bottlenecks and distractions lets your team focus on what truly matters.

• Support work-life balance: Tracking ensures teams don’t burn out by quietly working endless overtime.

The common time-tracking struggles

We’ve all been there: outdated spreadsheets, manual entries, and the endless nagging for team members to fill in their hours. It’s no wonder time tracking often feels more like an obstacle than an enabler.

Many teams struggle to find a balance between accuracy and ease of use. Too much complexity, and people avoid it; too little detail, and the data becomes meaningless. The trick lies in creating a process that’s simple, intuitive, and aligned with your team’s workflow.

Steps to build better time tracking habits

1. Set clear goals: Define why you’re tracking time in the first place. Whether it’s improving estimates, managing budgets, or identifying bottlenecks, knowing your “why” ensures your efforts stay focused.

2. Engage your team: Time tracking isn’t just for managers. Make it clear how accurate time logs benefit everyone, from preventing burnout to improving project planning. Transparency and buy-in are crucial.

3. Simplify the process: Make it as easy as possible for your team to log their time. Whether it’s integrating with existing tools or automating parts of the process, reducing friction is key.

4. Review and learn: Regularly review the data you collect. Use it to refine your processes, adjust workloads, and celebrate wins. Time tracking should be a tool for growth, not just record-keeping.

Finding the right tools

Choosing the right tool can make or break your time-tracking efforts. The best tools integrate seamlessly with your existing workflows, provide actionable insights, and adapt to your team’s needs. One such tool to consider is 7pace Timetracker for Jira, a solution designed specifically for development teams.

Why 7pace Timetracker stands out

7pace Timetracker isn’t just another add-on; it’s a purpose-built solution designed to make time tracking effortless, insightful, and empowering for your team. Here’s what makes it worth considering:

• Seamless Jira integration: Track time directly within Jira without jumping between tools.

• Flexible tracking options: Offers both automatic and manual tracking to suit your team’s preferences.

• Powerful reporting: Provides clear insights into time usage, helping you identify patterns and improve planning.

• User-friendly features: Includes custom fields that can be anything from time frames or activity type to a method for tracking billable time. 

• Customizable workflows: Adapts to your team’s unique needs for a truly personalized experience.

Backed by Appfire, a leader in the Atlassian ecosystem, 7pace Timetracker is a smart choice for teams ready to take their time tracking to the next level.

Making 2025 the year of time mastery

Adopting better time-tracking practices isn’t just about logging hours; it’s about creating a culture where time is valued, respected, and optimized. With clear goals, team buy-in, and the right tools, your resolution to master time management might just be the one you actually keep.

So, here’s to 2025: the year your team finally conquers time tracking, one time entry at a time.