How satisfied would you be if you compared the time you spend being productive on the computer to the time you spend distracted on the Internet or other computer programs? Auto-analytics is new technology that allows individuals to track daily activities and collect data. The technology can be especially beneficial if used in the workplace. After analyzing and collecting data, the employee can use it to improve his or her performance at work. This technology ranges from computer software and smartphone applications to wearable gadgets. The information gained from this technology gives employees insight on the factors that affect their productivity at work.

Auto-analytics are being used more frequently in the workplace. For example, a software called RescueTime can measure how much time you spend on a window on your computer and how long you are idle. The collection of data is then transformed into charts, so that you can readily see your productivity. The software also allows you to set alerts to help you stay on task. An employee, a programmer, believed chatting online was distracting him during work. The employee looked at how much time he spent chatting online during certain times and then looked at how much coding he wrote during that period. He found that the more he chatted online, the more coding he wrote. Chatting with colleagues actually increased his productivity, which he may not have known without using this technology.

Another program is called Luminosity, an online system that has games employees can play during their free time at work. The games can improve memory, thinking speed, and improve problem solving. Employees can play games that focus on specific skills or abilities that they believe need improvement.

Wave2 is a tool that monitors your pulse. Employees can use this to see what situations cause anxiety and increase their heart rate. The program can also recommend ways of reducing stress and anxiety, such as breathing exercises that can reduce heart rate during stressful situations.

Although these programs can be beneficial in a work setting, as mentioned by Wilson, “many workers might be reluctant to track what they do if they think the company might get access to the information, or use it against them.” Management can emphasize that the software often has privacy controls. Employees may also be more likely to use the new programs if they understand that it is intended for personal use and may not be monitored by the company.

Companies can increase job performance if employees track their own activities at work. Because of this, management should encourage the use of the programs, so that employees can willingly experiment with the program and improve their performance. Demanding the use of tracking may discourage employees and seem invasive. Ideally, management encouraging the use of the software would cause a desire in the employees to measure and improve their individual performance.

Would you be willing to track your activities using these new programs? Do you think many employees would be reluctant to try it? Do you think these programs will significantly improve job performance?

Source: Employees, Measure Yourselves