Logging and managing R&D time in Synnch
How to record, edit and structure R&D time entries in line with compliance requirements.
1. Overview
The Timesheets module allows you to record time spent on Core and Supporting R&D activities in a structured and defensible way.
Accurate time tracking supports:
- Eligible R&D expenditure calculations
- Demonstrating who performed experimental work
- Linking staff effort to defined activities
- Maintaining contemporaneous documentation
Synnch provides multiple views to support flexible and consistent time entry throughout the financial year.
2. When to Log R&D Time
Time should be recorded when team members:
- Perform experimental Core R&D activities
- Undertake Supporting activities directly related to Core R&D
- Contribute technical effort that forms part of defined R&D activities
Time entries should be made regularly, ideally daily, weekly or monthly (depending on your R&D intensity), rather than reconstructed at year end.
3. Available Timesheet Views
Synnch provides three primary views for managing R&D time.
Today View (Daily Entry)
Designed for real-time, day-by-day tracking.
Use this view to:
- Add R&D hours for a specific date
- Select the relevant Project and Activity
- Enter R&D hours
- Add a task-based description
- Upload supporting evidence (optional)
- Edit or delete entries
Entries appear in table format. Selecting a row opens a side panel with full details.
Weekly View
Designed for reviewing and entering time across an entire week.
Use this view to:
- Allocate hours across multiple days
- Apply a description and evidence across selected dates
- Review weekly distribution of R&D effort
- Edit individual day entries
Descriptions and uploaded evidence will apply to the selected dates within the week.
This view is useful for teams that log time at the end of each week.
Monthly View
Designed for reviewing and managing time across a full month.
Use this view to:
- Select individual days or all days within a month
- Enter or edit hours for specific days
- Review time allocation distribution
- Backdate entries where required
When selecting a date, a side panel displays:
- Project
- Activity
- R&D hours
- BAU hours
- Overtime
- R&D description
- BAU description
- Uploaded evidence
Activities are visually distinguished to indicate Core and Supporting categories.
Bulk editing or bulk deletion across multiple dates is not supported.
4. Managing Time Entries
Adding Entries
When adding R&D hours, you must:
- Select at least one Team Member (or several)
- Select the correct Project
- Select the correct Core or Supporting activity
- Enter accurate hours
- Provide a clear, task-based description
- Upload supporting evidence where relevant
Descriptions should reflect the actual technical work performed.
Editing Entries
Time entries can be edited if:
- Hours were recorded incorrectly
- Work was allocated to the wrong activity
- Additional detail is required
Edits should reflect genuine corrections, not retrospective restructuring.
Deleting Entries
Entries may be deleted if created in error.
Deletion should not be used to obscure or reallocate time improperly.
5. Best Practice for Compliance
- Log time consistently throughout the year
- Allocate time to specific Core or Supporting activities
- Avoid vague descriptions such as “development work”
- Ensure time entries align with project documentation and evidence
- Distinguish R&D hours from BAU hours where applicable
The Timesheets module is not just an administrative tool. It forms part of your substantiation record.
6. Common Mistakes
- Logging time retrospectively from memory
- Allocating time to undefined or generic activities
- Overusing Monthly backdating
- Failing to distinguish R&D from BAU effort
- Not uploading supporting documentation when appropriate