In project management, bookings, issues, and time entries serve distinct purposes and function independently. This section outlines their differences and usage.
Bookings
Purpose: Bookings allocate a resource's time in advance, without specifying the exact work. They are flexible and can be updated as project requirements evolve.
Usage:- Focuses on reserving resource availability.
- Used for planning without needing specific issue details.
- Easily adjustable as plans change.
Example: booking: Reserve 8 hours of Paul's time for the following week.
Issues
Purpose: Issues are used to define specific work or deliverables. When an issue is assigned, the details of what the resource will work on are already known.
Usage:- Focuses on planning specific work.
- Allocates issues linked to deliverables for the resource.
- Less flexible once work is clearly outlined.
Example: issue: Assign Paul to spend 8 hours working on the mobile app redesign.
Time Entries
Purpose: Time entries record the actual time spent working on issues. They are used for tracking progress, reporting, and billing.
Usage:- Focuses on recording the actual time worked.
- Provides details for reporting and utilization tracking.
- Essential for monitoring project progress.
Example: time entry: Paul worked 4 hours on the mobile app redesign on Wednesday and 4 hours on Thursday.
Summary
- Bookings: Reserve time for resources, flexible and can be adjusted.
- Issues: Define specific work and deliverables.
- Time Entries: Record the actual time spent on issues for reporting and tracking.