Unplanned time entries are hours logged against a project when there is no matching resource allocation for the employee. These entries help ensure that all actual work performed on a project is captured, even when the work occurs outside the planned staffing schedule.
Unplanned time entries appear when:
- an employee logs time but does not have an active allocation for the same period
- work is done by someone who was not originally planned or assigned (for example, stepping in due to illness or urgent needs)
- allocations are assigned only to a resource group (role/position) rather than the specific employee entering time
These entries highlight the difference between planned resource usage and actual work performed.
Unplanned time typically results from:
- Temporary assistance or last‑minute staffing changes
- Shifts in project requirements or deadlines
- Allocations not updated after reassignments
- Time being entered before allocations are created or finalized
Unplanned time entries ensure that project roll‑up totals remain accurate across budgets, forecasts, and contract tracking by capturing all actual effort, even when resources were not pre‑allocated. They also make resource gaps visible, helping teams identify where allocations might need to be added or adjusted.