What Is Task Management In Field Force Management Software? Key Features

Task management in field force management software helps you simplify task allocation and track progress. Read how it simplifies tasks for field teams.

Do you manage a field team and your typical day just goes by tediously checking your team’s schedules, manually assigning them tasks and checking their progress via calls or texts? If yes, you’re way behind the times.

The advent of field force management software has simplified the task management process. Employees and managers no longer have to rely on multiple apps to get through a working day. Managers can now assign tasks remotely and track their status in real time. Let’s learn in detail what task management is and how it benefits field teams.

What is Task Management?

Task management is the process of managers assigning tasks, employees checking them, completing them, and then marking them done on a platform. The process might sound simple, but involves thorough planning and communication. Many factors have to be considered before assigning tasks to employees like their:

• Availability
• Skillset and suitability for particular jobs
• Proximity to client sites

Executives also have to plan and schedule their day according to accommodate their assigned tasks. Task management software ensures the right employee is dispatched to the right job site at the right time. As such, field force management software is incomplete without a task management module.

Why is Task Management Software Important?

In the previous section, we explained what task management is. Now, let’s learn about the issues field operations managers face that make task management so important.

Haphazard Communication

Staying on the same page about task assignment, completion, and management is difficult when managers and executives cannot communicate in person. But task management streamlines coordination through tools like an in-built chatbox and audio sharing. These tools help you add relevant instructions in any language your field teams understand. Hence, you can remove communication gaps and offer a thorough understanding of each task.

Using Multiple Apps

Most businesses end up using multiple apps during the task cycle from ideation to completion. They use:

• a project management tool to assign tasks
• a communication app for coordination
• a separate system to track productivity

However, task management software eliminates the need for juggling several apps. It provides all the necessary features to assign and track tasks of all the teams on a single platform.

Right Tasks to Right Executives

To leverage resources correctly, managers must assign the right job to the right employee. With field force management software, managers can view which tasks an employee has already completed, and hence, decipher which future tasks suit them the best.

Eliminating Planning Paralysis

Field employees spend 25% of their time searching for information about their tasks. With proper task management, they get to see their tasks ahead of the day and schedule accordingly, saving time and energy.

Lack of Accountability

Field employees feel less accountable for their work when things are not communicated to them well. With field employee task management software, managers can see the tasks they’ve completed and give them accurate feedback. This transparency is a game changer in building each employee’s accountability.

How Does Task Management Software Work?

Task Management is a complex process. But it gets easier with field force management software. It lets you overcome the challenges of coordination and communication, making your teams more productive and efficient.

Here are the processes a task management software simplifies:

• Seamless Job Assignment: Managers can remotely assign tasks to field employees. Plus, they get to assess the workload and performance of each executive. This helps them allocate tasks to the most suitable team member.
• Real-time Updates: Executives receive real-time updates about new tasks (with details) or any schedule changes through their employee app.
• On-platform Communication: In case of any confusion with the task, both parties can communicate directly within the software, avoiding using external messaging apps.
• Task Tracking: The software tracks task progress and status in real time. This provides visibility into completion time and any potential delays.
• Automated Reminders: The software sends automated reminders to field employees about pending tasks or approaching deadlines. This reduces the chances of oversight and results in timely task completion.
• Data Centralization: All task-related information is stored in one centralized location. This includes task updates, status, and feedback. This feature increases visibility and transparency in the organization.

What Are The Features of Task Management in Field Force Management Software?

Task management software is a very versatile tool. It can handle simple things like daily task allocation to executives and advanced operations like job planning or optimising resource usage. Here are the key features of TrackoField, a leading field force management software solution.

Task Assignment

With a task management solution, managers get to see each executive’s availability and strengths. They can then simply upload tasks on their task sheets instead of having to call and brief them. Job planning cannot be simpler than how it is with field workforce management software.

Two-way Editing

In case managers need to make changes to the tasks they have already posted, they can. Even if executives want to add or subtract details from the task, they can. TrackoField offers tasks to be open to edits and speculation on both ends. For instance, executives can reschedule a task if they are overworked or face any trouble in reaching the task site.

Geo-verification

If managers opt for it, they can make tasks geo-verified. Through TrackoField’s real-time tracking solutions, they can tell whether or not executives are actually on the field. TrackoField also allows attendance marking only once an executive enters the geofence set up at a client site. This prevents buddy punching and ensures accurate attendance marking.

Real-time Checklists

When managers assign tasks to executives, they are essentially creating checklists for them. Executives can come to their dashboard and see their to-do list. This is great to help them stay on the move and motivated. After all, checking tasks off a list has its own charms! Also, all the updates or modifications in the task are instantly visible on the dashboard list.

Bulk Task Upload

TrackoField allows managers to create Excel sheets offline and then upload them to the software. Therefore, they can assign tasks in bulk to any executive, allowing them the liberty to work at their own pace. The tasks can also be cloned to save time.

Communication

To make things simple, TrackoField has its own chat boxes that help managers and executives communicate with one another at ease. It also lets employees share voice notes, documents, images, and videos.

Are There Benefits of Task Management Software?

Sure, the features offered by any field force management software’s task delegation tool are spectacular. They definitely make things simpler on the field. However, how does that make things better for an organization? Does it help enhance productivity and profitability?

Yes! About 75% of field service businesses using workforce management tools observe an increase in employee productivity!

How? Let’s see:

• Simpler Operations: Task management simplifies job planning and resource allocation. When managers are aware of their team’s capabilities and availability, they can better optimise their daily jobs. Plus, the software is accessible and uses advanced tools like custom templates, intuitive dashboards, performance reports, etc. These tools improve ease of use for both managers and employees.
• Time and Paper Saving: No time and money are wasted in lengthy briefings. Therefore, the organization saves a lot of money by using digital task management methods. Administrative duties are simplified and paperwork is eliminated with automatic field force management software. With this saved time and operational cost, employees can visit more clients and spend more time with them. The outcome? Well, more sales, better customer service, reduced TAT, etc.
• Tasks Become Transparent: It fosters accountability within a team when everyone can see what others are doing. It reduces disputes and inspires positive competition. Executive feels a sense of wanting to do their best which results in better productivity and morale.
• Flexibility for Employees: Executives get to set their own schedules, especially when they get tasks in bulk. This flexibility to build their pace and schedule helps improve productivity and team morale. They can also self-allocate tasks and reschedule them as per their availability. Plus, every task can be categorised by its priority, allowing employees leeway to choose important tasks first.

Summing Up

The days of manual task allocation and employee monitoring are long gone. If you have a team of over five field executives, there’s no way for you to successfully manage tasks without field force management software. Only with it can you boost your team’s productivity and profitability.

In this blog, you’ve learned about the features and benefits a task management system offers. So, what are you waiting for? Try TrackoField, one of the top field force management software and see how easy managing tasks for field executives can be.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How to manage tasks for field executives?

  Managing tasks for field executives can be a daunting challenge. But with the right field force management software like TrackoField, it becomes a breeze. The platform offers:
  1. A user-friendly interface
  2. Seamless task assignment
  3. Real-time updates
  4. On-platform communication tools
  5. Task location geo-verification
  With task management software, you'll experience simplified operations, higher transparency, and increased employee productivity. All you need to do is contact us and tell us about the solutions you need. We’ll take care of the rest!

• Why do you need to manage tasks for field operations?

  When you efficiently monitor and manage tasks for field executives, you will see much coordination in your team. Here are some things you’ll see a positive change in with field force management software:
  1. Timely task execution
  2. Task expense control
  3. Data-driven decision making
  4. Coordination
  5. Employee loyalty
  6. Customer satisfaction

• Who can use task management software?

  Field employee tracking software like TrackoField can optimise task delegation for a diverse range of industries. Here's who can use it:
  - After-sales service agencies
  - Maintenance and repair services
  - Pick-up and drop services
  - Healthcare providers with field staff
  - Field research teams, etc.
  - Field sales and marketing
  - Field technician services
  Whether you run a small business or a large enterprise, if you need to manage tasks, improve coordination, and increase productivity for your field workforce, task management software is a must-have tool.

• What is the difference between project and task management in field force management software?

  Project and task management are two aspects of operational management that rely on and support each other.
  Project management focuses on monitoring and managing large jobs with entire teams. It involves multiple tasks, timelines, and resources.
  Task management concentrates on individual jobs within the project. It streamlines assigning and tracking tasks and simplifies each step of the project.