Procurement Glossary
Time management
Time management in a nutshell:
Time management encompasses all methods and systems for the systematic planning, recording and monitoring of working times and processes in a company. For Procurement , it enables precise cost calculation and the optimization of procurement processes through accurate time recording and analysis.
Example: A purchasing team introduces a time recording system for order processes and discovers that the manual processing of a standard order takes an average of 45 minutes, whereupon the processing time can be reduced to 15 minutes per order through process optimization and digitalization.
Everything managers need to know about time management
Everything managers need to know about time management
Time management enables companies to plan their processes and resources optimally and is therefore an important success factor for efficiency and competitiveness. This structured overview shows how Procurement can optimize processes and sustainably reduce costs through systematic time recording and planning.
Introduction to time management
Time management is a fundamental component of modern personnel management and company organization. It deals with the systematic planning, recording, administration and evaluation of working times in companies. At a time when flexible working models and efficient use of resources are becoming increasingly important, professional time management is becoming more and more important. It not only serves to optimize operational processes, but also makes a significant contribution to employee satisfaction and compliance with legal requirements. This overview takes a closer look at the most important aspects of time management, from basic concepts to modern digital solutions.
What is time management?
Time management refers to the systematic recording, planning and control of working times within a company. It comprises methods and tools for the optimal use of working time in order to increase efficiency and productivity. In the context of purchasing, this means making targeted use of the purchasing team's time resources in order to optimize procurement processes and increase competitiveness.
Core elements of time management
Importance of time management in Procurement
In Procurement effective time management is crucial for the timely procurement of goods and services. Targeted time management helps to avoid delivery bottlenecks, conduct negotiations efficiently and complete projects on time. This not only leads to cost savings, but also strengthens the company's position on the market.
Time management: from manual time recording to workforce management
Building on the theoretical basis of time management, the practical application plays a decisive role in the efficiency of company processes. In practice, accurate time recording is essential in order to optimize the use of resources and meet delivery deadlines. However, traditional methods are reaching their limits, which is why a shift towards modern approaches is necessary in order to meet increasing demands.
Old: Manual time recording
Traditional approach: In traditional time management, working times were recorded manually, often using timesheets or simple time clock systems. Employees entered their times by hand, which led to a high administrative burden. The data then had to be manually transferred to systems, which was error-prone and time-consuming. Limitations such as a lack of real-time overview and low flexibility in scheduling were typical challenges of this approach.
New: Workforce Management
Workforce management: Modern time management models rely on digital workforce management systems. These integrate time recording, personnel planning and analysis in a single platform. By using mobile apps and biometric terminals, working times can be recorded in real time. Innovative functions such as automatic shift creation and adaptation to legal requirements significantly increase efficiency. Digitalization enables a transparent overview of personnel capacities and promotes proactive management of resources.
Practical example: Introduction of workforce management at Müller GmbH
Müller GmbH, a medium-sized production company, implemented a digital workforce management system. The real-time recording of working times reduced the administrative workload by 40%. The accuracy of time recording increased by 25%, which led to more accurate payroll accounting. In addition, planning accuracy was improved by 30% thanks to automated shift schedules, which ultimately increased productivity and improved on-time delivery. on-time delivery by 15%.
Conclusion on time management
Time management is an indispensable tool for modern purchasing departments. By systematically recording, analyzing and optimizing working times, companies can make their procurement processes more efficient and significantly reduce costs. Success lies in the combination of digital solutions, strategic planning and the active involvement of employees. The importance of effective time management will continue to grow, particularly in the context of increasing digitalization and AI-supported processes.
