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I have been asked to see if a user is being productive. Windows 7 doesnt log much in the way of computer usage, but I was thinking it would be possible to see how long the computer is in a locked (security) state. I did find some event IDs for locking and unlocking in the log and after doing some research I saw that you can match a session ID to each lock and unlock entry in the log, but that would take a lot of time to sift through.

Is there a better method of seeing a user's computer usage? Or is sifting through the log the only way?

update: I think I should add to fact management strongly believes they the employee is not being productive and just want some evidence to prove the fact. And asked me to see how often they are working at their computer.

Keltari
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3 Answers3

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I would not recommend using time a workstation is locked as an indicator of productivity, I personally lock my computer instinctively even if I just get up to stretch or use the bathroom, sometimes if I just want to think hard. Also, just because a computer is not locked or on screen saver doesn't mean the user is doing anything productive. You would be better off monitoring output of a measurable metric based on their job, as Ryan suggested. If you don't have metrics and goals which can be measured or desired output, then it is managements fault for not setting measurable output expectations or timelines. For example, an IT support person may be expected to close X priority 1 tickets per week or to have an average triage time of 5 minutes. A clerk in accounting may be expected to process X forms per day. I can think of few scenarios where time of PC locked would be a good metric for productivity, since by having a screen up doesn't directly relate to work output.

If you know the employee is not productive, you may want to eliminate distractions such as games or fun websites. If not required, block Internet access all together. You could potentially monitor web activity, but again, if they are just efficient and have downtime, than you need to think about what problem you are addressing.

There are all sorts of more advanced things you could dream up such as an app which monitor what application has focus and count the time of focus per application, but that might not be addressing the root problem either.

Eric G
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What is the user supposed to be doing? I would think it would be more productive to go after the programs they are to be using. For example, how many order entries have their username on it. Look into the applications they should be using for work. This will show you a better result.

CodeMonkey
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Measuring productivity is not really an IT function, the OS and apps aren't designed to do this, and how do you even define productivity?
However, you've been given this task and you want to be helpful: I'd look at web browsing and email; those are generally easily trackable and are common ways of being unproductive.

Chris
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