Automating time entry quality assurance helps maintain consistency, improves data accuracy for billing and reporting, and provides a feedback mechanism for technicians to improve their time logging habits.
This action is available only as a Triggered action in a workflow.
Let us know if you’d like to use it as a Scheduled one.
What It Does
- Evaluates one or more time entries based on custom instructions you provide.
- Assigns a numerical score to each time entry.
- Generates a detailed reasoning explaining how the score was determined based on the provided instructions.
- Optionally, stores the QA score directly into a specified custom field in your PSA for the corresponding time entry.
- Provides feedback messages suitable for internal review and dashboard visibility.
How It Works
The “Time Entry QA” action processes time entries as follows:Input Data
The action receives the time entry (or entries) to be analyzed and a set of instructions defining the QA criteria.QA Process
For each time entry, an AI agent evaluates its content (notes, summary, etc.) against theinstructions
you’ve configured. These instructions guide the AI on what to look for and how to score the time entry.
Scoring and Reasoning
The AI agent assigns a numericalscore
to the time entry and provides textual reasoning
that justifies the score by explaining how the time entry met or failed to meet the specified criteria.
Output Structure
The action outputs the QA results, including messages for internal MSP use (containing score and reasoning), messages for the Neo Dashboard, and a list of field updates if configured to save the score in a custom field.Setup
Time entry to analyze: The action works with any time entry from your workflow trigger, typically the time entry that was just created or updated. Quality criteria: Define your QA standards by providing detailed instructions on how to score time entries. This is where you specify what makes a good time entry, what aspects to check, and your scoring scale (like 1-5 or 0-100). Save results (optional): Choose whether to save the QA score directly into a custom field in your PSA system, and specify which field to use.What you get
After running, you’ll have detailed quality assessment results including scores and reasoning for each time entry, internal reports for your team, and the option to save scores directly to your PSA for tracking and reporting.Use Cases
Automated Time Entry Audits
Set up a workflow that triggers when a time entry is created or updated. The “Time Entry QA” action can then automatically assess the entry against your standards (e.g., completeness of notes, correct work type, billable status).Enforce Billing Accuracy
Use theinstructions
to define criteria that ensure time entries contain sufficient detail for accurate client billing, such as clear descriptions of work performed and time spent.
Technician Feedback and Training
Use the QA scores and reasoning to provide feedback to technicians on the quality of their time entries. This can help identify areas for improvement and training. If the score is saved to a custom field, you can build PSA reports or dashboards to track QA metrics.Best Practices
- Define Clear Instructions: The quality of the QA process heavily depends on the clarity and detail of your
instructions
. Be specific about what constitutes a good time entry, how to score different aspects, and what scale to use. - Customize Default Instructions: While a default set of instructions is provided, tailor them to your MSP’s specific needs and terminology for the best results.
- PSA Custom Field: If you choose to store the score in a custom field (
store_score_in_custom_field
), ensure that a text-based custom field with the exactscore_custom_field_name
exists in your PSA for time entries. - Iterate and Refine: Start with a basic set of instructions and refine them over time based on the QA results and feedback.
- Monitor Event History: Regularly review the Event History in the Neo Dashboard to see how the “Time Entry QA” action is performing and to check the scores and reasoning provided.
- Review and Bill: If the action flags a time entry as non-compliant and potentially unbillable, a manager can be notified to review it before it’s approved and billed. Check the Event History for more details.
- Combine with Notifications: Follow this action with a “Notify Internal Team” or “Add Ticket Note” action to communicate the QA results or flag entries that fall below a certain score threshold.
- Review and Verification: If the system identifies inconsistencies or requires clarification, it may flag the time entry for review. This ensures accuracy before the time entry is finalized and billed. Check the Event History for more details.